Knowra Acacia Acacia Acacia is a genus of trees and shrubs, including many drought-adapted species native to Africa and other regions. Its species vary widely in leaf form, defenses, and ecological relationships.
Acacieae : Acacieae is a tribe of legume plants that includes Acacia and several related genera. This broader legume group places Acacia within its taxonomic lineage.
Drought avoidance : Drought avoidance is the set of traits that lets an organism maintain water uptake or reduce water loss during dry periods. Deep roots and reduced foliage help some acacias maintain water balance in arid habitats.
Gum arabic : Gum arabic is a water-soluble exudate from Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal, used as a food additive and in other products. Several species formerly classified as Acacia provide this commercially valuable gum.
Vachellia tortilis : Vachellia tortilis is an African tree with a distinctive flat-topped crown and curled pods. This familiar savanna tree was long classified as Acacia tortilis.
Mimosoid clade : The mimosoid clade is a major lineage of legumes, including acacias and their close relatives. Acacia belongs to this legume lineage, whose members often have small flowers grouped in heads or spikes.
Thorns : Thorns are rigid, pointed structures that deter animals from feeding on plants. Sharp structures on many acacias discourage browsing by large herbivores.
Acacia wood : Acacia wood is timber from species in the acacia group, used for furniture, flooring, and fuel. Hard, durable wood from several species supports local and commercial uses.
Vachellia nilotica : Vachellia nilotica is a thorny African and Asian tree with globular flower heads and constricted pods. Its former name, Acacia nilotica, illustrates the genus’s taxonomic reclassification.
Phyllode : A phyllode is a flattened leaf stalk that functions like a leaf blade. Many Australian acacias use phyllodes instead of divided leaves to reduce water loss.
Extr floral nectary : An extrafloral nectary is a nectar-secreting plant gland located outside a flower. Nectar glands on some acacias feed insects that defend the plant.
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