Quick facts
| Arabic name | العرفط |
|---|---|
| English name | Arfat (Oerfota Acacia) |
| Scientific name | Vachellia oerfota (Acacia oerfota) |
| Family | Pea family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Thorny perennial shrub or small tree |
| Height | 1.5 to 3 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
October to February
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
Many thin branches grow from one root, and the lower branches often spread on the ground. It has paired white thorns, grey-green feathery leaves with a strong smell when crushed, and round creamy-white flowers.
Where it grows
Grows on rocky raised ground at the foot of the Sarawat and Hijaz mountains, usually at 200 to 900 m, and up to 1300 m on eastern slopes.
Soil
Rocky or gravelly soil with good drainage.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain and needs no watering once established.
Climate and light
Handles heat and drought.
Propagation
By seed.
Benefits and uses
- Grazing for camels and goats
- Gives a sweet gum in summer
- Its bark fiber was used for rope and its wood for toothpicks
- Holds soil on slopes and in valleys
Drawbacks
- Sharp thorns
- Leaves have a strong smell
- Harmed by woodcutting and overgrazing
Important notes
Cutting native trees for firewood is prohibited 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 oerfota
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Vachellia oerfota
- Wikipedia: Vachellia oerfota
- 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)