Quick facts
| Arabic name | الطلح النجدي |
|---|---|
| English name | Talh (Najdi Acacia) |
| Scientific name | Vachellia gerrardii (Acacia gerrardii) |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Thorny tree |
| Height | Usually 3 to 8 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
October to February
A wild tree that is 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 wide top, young grey hairy branches, and short straight paired thorns. Cream-white ball flowers and curved, sickle-shaped pods.
Where it grows
Common in Najd valleys and meadows, mainly Riyadh, Al-Qassim and Hail, and also in the valleys of the Northern Borders. Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve helps plant more of it.
Soil
Loamy and sandy soil in valleys and meadows. It also handles gravel.
Water and irrigation
Very drought tolerant and lives on rain.
Climate and light
High heat, drought and full sun. It usually flowers in early summer.
Propagation
From seeds, after scratching or soaking them.
Benefits and uses
- Grazing and shade for animals
- Talh honey with strong taste and smell
- Produces natural gum
- Helps fight desertification
Drawbacks
- Sharp thorns
- Grows fairly slowly
- 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 gerrardii
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Vachellia gerrardii
- Wikipedia: Vachellia gerrardi
- 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)