List of Acacia Species In Kenya
- BeyondForest
- Dec 6, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 13
most of the acacia tree species that live in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa are covered in sharp thorns that serve to protect themselves from plant-eaters who like to munch on trees. -Captain Green
Image of Umbrella Thorn Acacia
The acacia tree is a group of over 1,300 species of trees and shrubs in the genus Acacia, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Acacia trees have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, enriching the soil and supporting other plants.
The name Vachellia honors Rev. George Harvey Vachell, a British chaplain and naturalist in the 1800s who collected plant specimens in China.
Image of a Giraffe eating Acacia Tree leaves by Captain Green Ke
"yellow fever tree," scientifically known as Vachellia xanthophloea (formerly Acacia xanthophloea)
Image of Umbrella Thorn Acacia flowers
Kenya is home to a diverse range of Acacia species, many of which are adapted to the arid and semi-arid conditions of the country. These species play a critical ecological role, providing fodder, shade, and fuel, as well as improving soil fertility.
The name "fever tree" originated from early settlers who associated the tree with malaria, as it grows in swampy areas where mosquitoes breed though the tree does not cause fever
Image of Acacia xanthophloea
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Umbrella Thorn Acacia tree keeps livestock healthy during dryspell
Image of accacia seedling for sale by Caren Muthoni
Gum Arabic in Acacia Sap is used in soft drinks, gummy candies, watercolor paints, and even glue on postage stamps, this comes mainly from Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal.
The Acacia Tortilis roots are unable to penetrate deep under the soil, so it grows in the shape of an umbrella. In this way, it can absorb more moisture from the air.
Image of an Acacia Tortilis by paulinaulloa
Acacia tortilis (Umbrella Thorn) | Known for its umbrella-shaped canopy. |
Acacia senegal (Gum Arabic Tree) | Produces high-quality gum arabic. |
Acacia xanthophloea (Yellow Fever Tree) | Known for its striking yellow-green bark. |
Acacia mellifera (Black Thorn) | Valued for its dense wood and as a hedge plant. |
Acacia nilotica (Scented Thorn) | Provides tannins, fodder, and wood. |
Acacia seyal (Red Acacia) | Produces gum and is used for firewood and timber. |
Acacia drepanolobium (Whistling Thorn) | Found in black cotton soils in savannah regions. |
Acacia erioloba (Camel Thorn) | Provides shade and pods for livestock fodder. |
Acacia polyacantha (White Thorn) | Used for timber and medicine. |
Acacia robusta | Known for its hardy wood. |
Acacia brevispica (Wait-a-Bit Thorn) | hooked thorns that "grab" passersby |
Acacia lahai | Found in high-altitude areas such as Mount Kenya |
Acacia hockii | Often used as a hedge. |
Acacia reficiens | Grows well in sandy soils. |
Acacia zanzibarica | Provides firewood and is a source of tannins. |
Acacia gerrardii | Known for its tall stature and timber value. |
Acacia elatior | Found near water bodies and in riverine areas. |
Acacia albida (Faidherbia albida) | Known for improving soil fertility. |
Acacia bussei | Provides fodder and wood. |
Acacia kirkii | Provides shade and prevents soil erosion. |
Acacia xanthophloea, commonly known as the Fever Tree, is a striking, fast-growing tree native to eastern and southern Africa. It is easily recognized by its smooth, bright yellow-green bark, which stands out dramatically in the landscape.
Image of an Acacia xanthophloea at Thome Estate
In Boran language it is referred to as Hwacho dima Tree, In Kamba it is referred to as Mulela Tree ,In Kikuyu Language it is referred to as Murera Tree,In Kipsigis Language it is referred to as Ochmnyaliliet Tree ,
Image of an Acacia xanthophloea at Thome Mukuyu
In Luo Lnguage it is referred to as Kuth ataro Tree ,In Maasai it is referred to as Olerai Tree,In Marakwet Language it is referred to as Reno Tree, In Meru Language it is referred to as Murera Tree while in Taveta Language it is referred to as Mwelela Tree
Image of Malon standing next to an Acacia xanthophloea at Marurui
The name "fever tree" originated from early settlers who associated the tree with malaria, as it grows in swampy areas where mosquitoes breed—though the tree itself does not cause fever.
Somalia has the most acacia plants somalia the land of acacia and the land of camel
Image of an Accacia xanthophloea by Photo For Trees Kenya on X
Despite its name, the tree does not cause yellow fever. The name arose because early European settlers noticed that it often grew in swampy areas where malaria was common, mistakenly associating the tree with the illness. In reality, it was the mosquitoes in those areas that transmitted disease.
The Yellow Fever Tree is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing member of the Fabaceae (legume) family. It can reach heights of up to 25 meters, and features long white thorns, finely divided feathery leaves, and small round yellow flowers that attract bees and pollinators.
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
Umbrella Thorn Acacia pods and leaves are rich in protein, making them valuable in dry-season grazing. It also improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Image of Umbrella Thorn Acacia Thorns by Captain green Ke
The umbrella thorn acacia scientifically known as Vachellia tortilis or Acaccia tortilis is native to Africa and parts of the Middle East, is a hardy, drought-tolerant tree commonly found in savannahs and arid regions. It gets its name from its distinctive flat-topped canopy, which resembles an umbrella.
Pokot people call the pods sagaram..
Image of Umbrella Acacia Seed pods by Captain Green Ke
The tree grows up to 20 meters tall, with both straight and hooked thorns for protection. Its deep roots enable it to survive in dry, nutrient-poor soils. The umbrella thorn provides shade, fodder for livestock, and fuelwood.
The Umbrella Thorn Acacia is a strong molluscicide and algicide its fruits are placed in fish ponds to kill the snail species that carry schistosomiasis, without affecting the fish.
In Borana Language it is referred to as Dadach Tree In Swahili Language it is referred to as Mgunga Tree or Munga Tree ,In Turkana Language it is referred to as Ewo Tree, In Kamba Language it is referred to as Muaa or Mulaa Tree ,In Kipsigis Language it is referred to as Chebitet Tree In Luo language it is referred to as Otiep Tree, In Maasai Language it is referred to as Oltepesi Tree or Sagararam Tree fruit .In Luhya language it is referred to as Munyenye
"It is even believed that Noah of the Old Testament made his ark from the wood of A. tortilis. Its wood is used for planking, boxes, poles, moisture proof plywood, gun and rifle parts, furniture, house construction and farm implements."
In Marakwet Language it is referred to as Ses Tree ,In Mbeere Language it is referred to as Mugaa Tree ,In Nandi Language it is referred to as Sesya Tree In Tugen Language it is referred to as Sesya is In Nandi language it is referred to as chepitet, In Pokot language it is referred to as Ses
Acacia senegal
Acacia senegal formely known as Senegalia senegal and commonly known as gum arabic tree, is a drought-resistant leguminous tree native to Africa, particularly the Sahel region.
Image of Acacia Senegal by Seedballs Kenya
Gum Arabic grows up to 5–12 meters tall and thrives in arid and semi-arid climates. Its primary economic value lies in the production of gum arabic, a natural exudate harvested from the bark and widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries as a stabilizer and emulsifier. Acacia senegal has a deep taproot system, enabling it to withstand long dry periods. It also contributes to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Acacia Kirkii
Image of Acacia Kirkii by woodlands2000trust
Acacia kirkii, now reclassified as Vachellia kirkii, is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree native to eastern and southern Africa, commonly found along riverbanks, floodplains, and seasonally wet savannahs. It typically grows between 6 to 15 meters tall, with a wide, spreading crown and rough grey to brown bark. The tree is well adapted to moist soils and periodic flooding, making it unique among many African acacias that prefer drier conditions.
Image of Acacia Kirkii bark by Seedballs Kenya
Acacia kirkii improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, helping rehabilitate degraded lands. It is also important as forage for livestock, especially during dry periods, and serves as habitat for wildlife.
Acacia seyal
Image of Acacia Seyal flowers
Vachellia seyal, formerly known as Acacia seyal, is a medium-sized, drought-resistant tree native to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. It typically grows 6 to 10 meters tall and thrives in savannahs, drylands, and clay soils.
Image of Acacia Seyal by Seedballs Ke
Recognized by its reddish bark and paired white or grey thorns, it produces gum arabic, although of lower quality than that of Senegalia senegal. The tree plays a crucial ecological role by fixing nitrogen, improving soil fertility, and providing shade, fodder, firewood, and charcoal.
Wood from the tree is said to have been used in Ancient Egypt to make coffins and also the Ark of the Covenant.
Acacia tortilis
These trees can live for upwards of 200 years but are sadly highly sought after by wood cutters for their excellent charcoal and firewood -Seedballs Ke
Acacia tortilis, now reclassified as Vachellia tortilis, is a hardy, drought-resistant tree native to Africa and parts of the Middle East. Known for its distinctive flat-topped, umbrella-shaped canopy, it thrives in arid and semi-arid environments, especially on sandy and stony soils. The tree can grow up to 20 meters tall and has both straight and hooked thorns for protection.
Image of Acacia Tortilis Tree
Is Vachellia the same as Acacia?
Image of Acacia Seyal Gum Arabic molinerocreativo
Not exactly. Vachellia is a genus that used to be part of the broader Acacia genus. However, due to botanical reclassification, the name "Acacia" was split into several new genera based on geographic and genetic differences. Originally, Acacia included over 1,000 species found across Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Americas. But botanists found they weren’t all closely related genetically .In the early 2000s Australian species kept the name Acacia (e.g., Acacia melanoxylon) while African and Asian species (like Acacia senegal) were reclassified into Vachellia (e.g., Vachellia nilotica, Vachellia tortilis) and Senegalia (e.g., Senegalia senegal)
yes big time. You probably had some for breakfast even. It's usually listed under the ingredients as E414 it is in coca cola, candy, cakes, etc..
Acacia trees are special for their remarkable adaptability, thriving in arid, semi-arid, and nutrient-poor soils across Africa, Australia, and Asia. They are renowned for their symbiotic nitrogen-fixing abilities, enriching the soil and supporting surrounding plant life. Acacias often have distinctive thorns or spines that protect them from herbivores, and many produce gum exudates, like gum arabic, used in food and pharmaceuticals.
Where Do Acacia Trees Grow
Acacia trees grow in diverse environments, primarily in Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of the Americas. They thrive in savannahs, grasslands, semi-arid, and arid regions, often dominating landscapes with poor, sandy, or rocky soils. In Africa, species like Vachellia tortilis and Senegalia senegal are common in drylands and Sahelian zones, while in Australia, over 900 native species flourish in various ecosystems, including deserts and coastal regions.
What was so special about acacia wood in the Bible?
In the Bible, acacia wood is considered special due to its durability, resistance to decay, and availability in the Sinai and surrounding deserts. It was used to build sacred objects like the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and the altar of burnt offering (Exodus 25–27).
The iconic umbrella shape of Vachellia tortilis helps shade its own roots and reduce water loss — a perfect desert survival tactic.
Some acacias release ethylene gas when grazed by animals like giraffes, warning nearby trees to start producing bitter-tasting tannins as a defense.
The release of warning chemicals is a kind of plant-to-plant communication — once dismissed as myth, now proven by science.
Gum Arabic in Acacia Sap is used in soft drinks, gummy candies, watercolor paints, and even glue on postage stamps, this comes mainly from Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal.
Some acacia species exhibit nyctinasty their leaves close at night, possibly to conserve moisture or reduce predation.
Not All Acacias Are True Acacias: Due to taxonomic revisions, many African species are now called Vachellia or Senegalia, while Australian species kept the name “Acacia.”
Certain species like Vachellia drepanolobium (Whistling Thorn) house stinging ants in their swollen thorns. In return, ants protect the tree by attacking anything that touches it.
When the wind blows through holes made by insects in some acacia thorns, it produces a whistling sound, giving rise to the name “Whistling Thorn.”
The thorn acacia has a mutualistic relationship with ants, which live in its hollow thorns and protect the tree from herbivores.
Acacias are among the fastest-growing trees, making them ideal for reforestation projects.
The Acacia tree is incredibly versatile and has a wide range of uses, making it valuable across agriculture, industry, and traditional practices.
Species like Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal produce gum arabic, a natural resin used as: A stabilizer in food and beverages An ingredient in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics A binder in inks, adhesives, and paints
Acacia leaves, pods, and seeds are rich in protein. Used as animal feed, especially during dry seasons in arid regions.
Acacia is a nitrogen-fixing plant. Improves soil fertility and is often used in agroforestry and land rehabilitation.
Provides fuelwood, charcoal, and timber for fencing, furniture, and construction. Some species, like Vachellia nilotica, produce durable, termite-resistant wood.
Bark, leaves, and pods are used in traditional medicine to treat wounds, coughs, diarrhea, and infections.
Dense canopy offers shade for livestock and crops. Used in windbreaks and erosion control.
Invasiveness
Some acacia species, such as Acacia mearnsii (black wattle), have become invasive outside their native range.
Deforestation
Overexploitation for wood, gum, and land clearing threatens native acacia populations.
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