Seeds of the Sammar tree

Common name: Acacia tree Scientific name: Acacia tortilis Also known as: Umbrella thorn Acacia trees have a flat-topped, large, and dense crown that can reach up to 12 meters in height, with smooth branches and leaves, and are highly branched. They grow in valleys and sands, making them desert trees. • Acacia tree flower: Their flowers are fragrant, yellowish-white, arranged in spherical clusters that appear in spring and last into summer. • Fruit and seeds of the Acacia tree: The fruit consists of coiled pods forming a tight ring, about 15 cm in size, containing seeds inside. • Acacia tree germination season: Planted at the beginning of summer. • Suitable climate and soil for the Acacia tree: It tolerates temperatures up to fifty degrees Celsius at noon and freezing temperatures at night. The Acacia grows on sand dunes, rocky surfaces, and in the dry riverbed valleys, avoiding areas flooded seasonally by floodwaters. It is highly drought-resistant, requiring an annual rainfall as low as 40 millimeters, and can withstand drought for up to a full year. • How to cultivate the Acacia tree: The seeds should be submerged in boiling water and soaked until they swell. The seed coat is thick and tough, often taking less than 4 days to germinate, sometimes up to 10 days. Growth afterward is somewhat slow; it has been observed that it reaches a height of 0.8 meters in four years. Seeds are planted at a depth of 1 to 2 centimeters from the soil surface. • Its benefits and uses: Used for honey production, has many medicinal benefits, and the wood is used to make furniture. • Native habitat of the Acacia tree: The Acacia or Umbrella thorn is found throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as in the arid parts of Africa from Senegal to Somalia and south to southern Africa. It is also widespread across all Arab countries, including the Mashriq and Maghreb, and the Nile Valley.