Edible Australian Acacias: Acacia torulosa
(Acacia colei, A. elachantha, A. torulosa, A. tumida)

Most edible acacia seed species are from northern semi-arid regions of Australia and range from medium-sized trees to large, multi-stemmed bushes.  Several edible acacia species have been successfully introduced into African semi-arid regions like Niger and Senegal.

A. colei has excelled in acacia trials in Niger, showing the most potential for use as a new crop plant.  A. corriacea is a highly esteemed food of the Aboriginal people; establishment has been difficult in Niger, but A. corriacea can reportedly live for 30-50 years.  Its needle-like leaves and light canopy give low shading, and the deep taproot should not interfere with nearby crops.  A. elachantha has a good growth rate and higher seed yields than A. colei , but it has a long ripening period and a tendency to shatter.  Due to its tall size, judicial pruning is necessary for an easy harvest; the new branches are flexible enough to be pulled down for harvesting.  A. elachantha is a vigorous tree producing a lot of biomass and strong poles 3-4 m (10-13 ft) in length.  Plantings of A. torulosa show high survival rates after planting out, and mature A. torulosa in Niger showed no signs of stress and carried a heavy seed crop after a low rainfall year.  A. tumida has grown well in Niger but needs slightly higher rainfall conditions to thrive; the tree may grow rapidly but fail to set seed.  It has large seeds which are easy to harvest and better balanced nutritionally than A. colei seed. For alkaline and salt affected areas, try A. ampliceps, A. victoriae, and A. stenophylla. These occur naturally in salt-affected and high water table sites.

A. torulosa shows high survival rates after planting out, and mature A. torulosa in Niger showed no signs of stress and carried a heavy seed crop after a low rainfall year.