Gum Arabic

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Gum Arabic
• Senegal-gum
• Sudan gum-arabic
• gum-arabic
• gum-arabic-tree
• kher
• three-thorn acacia
• Gum Acacia
• Gum Arabic Tree
• Sudan Gum
• Three thorned senegalia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia senegal
• Acacia senegal subsp. trispinosa
• Acacia unispinosa
• Acacia senegal subsp. senegalensis
• Acacia senegalensis
• Acacia verek
• Acacia oxyosprion
• Acacia cufodontii
• Mimosa senegal
• Senegalia senegal var. rostrata
• Senegalia senegal var. kerensis
• Senegalia retusa
• Senegalia oliveri
• Acacia platyosprion
• Acacia pseudoglaucophylla
• Acacia oliveri
• Acacia trispinosa
• Acacia rupestris
• Acacia senegal var. verek
• Acacia senegal var. kerensis
• Acacia senegal var. platyospirion
• Acacia senegal var. pseudoglaucophylla
• Acacia senegal var. rostrata
• Acacia senegal var. rupestris
• Acacia volkii
• Acacia asak var. unispinosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement within the genus Senegalia, specifically the species Senegalia senegal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence can be documented within the borders of Benin. It is also found throughout various parts of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species grows in the territories of Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical range extends into the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senegalia senegal is characterized by its preference for specific vegetation structures and a broad altitudinal distribution across its range. It is primarily found inhabiting Acacia or Acacia-Commiphora bushland and woodland environments, where it integrates into the complex architecture of these semi-arid ecosystems. This species exhibits significant adaptability to varying topographical positions, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 45 m AMSL to a maximum of 1065 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1065 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

45 m AMSL

Habitat :

Acacia or Acacia-Commiphora bushland or woodland

Life history

The life history of Senegalia senegal is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs well above the ground, typically developing into a woody shrub or small tree with a robust structure. Its seasonal physiological behavior is defined by being deciduous, meaning it sheds its foliage periodically, often in response to dry seasons, to manage moisture levels and survive environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senegalia senegal is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently of other plants, functioning as a non-parasitic and non-epiphytic organism. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with a minimum height of 1.5 m, a mean height of approximately 6 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senegalia senegal is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which allows the plant to fix carbon dioxide through the standard Calvin cycle, a common adaptation for many woody species in varied environments. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria located within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and ability to thrive in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senegalia senegal is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect-mediated pollination, with bees identified as a primary pollinator type. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit notable variations in size; the seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.0463 g to a maximum of 0.11183 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.0905064285 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.11183 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0905064285 g

Seed mass min:

0.0463 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senegalia senegal has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Senegalia senegal has 48 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Arabic acid, Arabic gum, Ash, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Betulin.

Arabic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. South African journal of botany : official journal of the South African Association of Botanists = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir plantkunde : amptelike tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Genootskap van Plantkundiges

Arabic gum

1. Scientific reports

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CERYL ALCOHOL

1. Dr. Duke

D-Glucoside

1. Dr. Duke

D-Pinitol

1. Dr. Duke

D-galactose

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Senegalia senegal has 369 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Acidulant.

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Senegalia senegal has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Dried leaves, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the exudates.

Dried leaves

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the exudates

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine