Species of small tree with pale greenish or reddish bark and feathery leaves having two thorns at their base, native to Africa from Egypt to Kenya, west Senegal, and in the Sahara. It is a source of gum arabic. The wood was used in Ancient Egypt to make coffins; it is noted in the Bible as the material out of which the Ark of the Covenant was made. Formerly classified in genus Acacia.
