umbrella thorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Umbrella Thorn Acacia
• umbrella-thorn
• umbrella thorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimosa tortilis
• Acacia tortilis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Vachellia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the northern regions of the African continent. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Algeria and Egypt. Its range also extends through the territories of Libya and Morocco. Furthermore, the species is present in the country of Tunisia. Collectively, these locations highlight its presence across several North African nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vachellia tortilis is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific topographical and geological parameters, primarily occupying rocky plains. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, establishing itself across a diverse vertical gradient that begins at elevations as low as 30 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1360 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests a high degree of adaptability to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations found across different mountain slopes and lowland terrains.

Elevational range max:

1360 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Habitat :

rocky plains

Life history

The life history of Vachellia tortilis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody structure that provides stability and longevity. The plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains a constant presence rather than shedding seasonally. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form enables the species to establish a robust and enduring presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vachellia tortilis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. This terrestrial species typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 15 meters, with a mean height of approximately 15 meters. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a stable, non-aquatic existence in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vachellia tortilis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant possesses the biological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-limited environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vachellia tortilis is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable. The plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.0545 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.02144 g to a maximum of 0.08389 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed volume is highly consistent, maintaining a constant value of 54 mm³ across its minimum, maximum, and mean measurements. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the spread of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.08389 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0545145662857143 g

Seed mass min:

0.02144 g

Seed volume max:

54 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vachellia tortilis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Fitoterapia
3. Journal of oleo science

Stem

1. Planta medica
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Vachellia tortilis has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Gallic acid, (+)-Catechol, (+)-gallocatechol, AAQ.

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Nigerian journal of natural products and medicine

(+)-Catechol

1. Dr. Duke

(+)-gallocatechol

1. Dr. Duke

AAQ

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Aldobiouronic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Djenkolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Vachellia tortilis has 131 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, ACE-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of oleo science

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of oleo science

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMRSA

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Vachellia tortilis has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, asthma, burns, cancer.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Toxoplasma gondii

1. The Journal of veterinary medical science

Asthma

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Burns

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cancer

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatitis

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Malaria

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Vachellia tortilis has 16 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 80 % MeOH extracts of Acacia tortilis (stem bark), 80% Methanolic Extract, AAq, Essential Oil, Solvent Fractions.

80 % meoh extracts of acacia tortilis (stem bark)

1. Planta medica

80% methanolic extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aaq

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Essential oil

1. Journal of oleo science

Solvent fractions

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Crude extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Dichloromethane fraction

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Essential oil

1. Journal of oleo science