Quick facts
| Arabic name | السلم |
|---|---|
| English name | Salam (Acacia) |
| Scientific name | Vachellia flava (Acacia ehrenbergiana) |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Thorny shrub or small tree |
| Height | Usually 2 to 5 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to February
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
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 stems from the base, paired straight white thorns, tiny compound leaves, yellow ball flowers, and flat curved pods.
Where it grows
Found in valleys and plains of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Najran, Jazan and the Tihama of Asir and Al-Baha.
Soil
Sandy and gravel soil.
Water and irrigation
Very drought tolerant.
Climate and light
Hot with full sun.
Propagation
From seeds after scratching or soaking.
Benefits and uses
- Food for camels and goats
- Shade in valleys
- Flowers feed bees
Drawbacks
- Sharp thorns
- 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 flava
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Vachellia flava
- Wikipedia: Vachellia flava
- 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)