Family: Mimosoideae
Scientific Name: Acacia erioloba
Common names: Camel thorn, Kameeldoring
SANTN: 168
Description: The Camelthorn can range from 2 m up to 20m high, it can be scrubby or a massive tree. The bark is grey to blackish brown, deeply furrowed, young branchlets shiney reddish brown. The spines is strongly developed, almost straight up to 6 cm in lenght with swollen bases, whitish or brown. The flowers is a bright yellow ball and can be seen between
July to December.
Medical uses: Ear infections can be treated with the dried powder of the pods, The gum can be used for the treatment of gonorrhea and the pulverized burned bark can be used to treat headache. The root can be used to treat Tuberculosis and also tooth ache, the barkless root is boiled for a few minutes and the infusion are swird around in the mouth and spit out, for TB the same infusion are drinked in the morning .noon and evening untill TB are cured. Every few days a new brew must be made.
Superstition uses: It is believed that lighting will strike at the Camel thorn more readily than other trees.
Nutritive uses: The seeds can be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee, the gum are also eaten by humans as well as animals
Other uses: The rood bark is used by the bushmen to make quivers. Animals love to eat the pods.
Interesting Facts:
Credits: TGF