Quick facts
| Arabic name | السمر |
|---|---|
| English name | Samr (Umbrella Thorn) |
| Scientific name | Vachellia tortilis (Acacia tortilis) |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Thorny tree |
| Height | Usually 4 to 8 m, up to about 12 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
October to February
A wild tree for shade, grazing and Samr honey; not harvested
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A flat, umbrella-like top. Long straight white thorns and small hooked ones. Tiny compound leaves, white fragrant ball flowers, and twisted pods.
Where it grows
Found in valleys and plains in many regions, including Al-Wajh valleys in Tabuk, Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Al-Qassim, the Tihama of Asir and Al-Baha, and Najran.
Soil
Handles gravel, sand, limy and salty soils.
Water and irrigation
Very drought tolerant and needs very little water once settled.
Climate and light
Strong heat, drought and full sun. It also handles winter cold.
Propagation
From seeds. Scratching the seed coat or soaking in hot water helps them sprout.
Benefits and uses
- Food for camels and livestock, and shelter for wildlife
- Bees make Samr honey from it
- Blocks wind and holds sand
- Makes soil richer by fixing nitrogen
Drawbacks
- Sharp, painful thorns
- Wide top, so not good for small gardens
Important notes
Cutting trees and collecting firewood are not allowed by law in Saudi Arabia.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Vachellia tortilis
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Vachellia tortilis
- Wikipedia: Vachellia tortilis
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)