Acacia catechu

From MedBib.com - Medicine & Nature

Acacia catechu

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Genus: Acacia
Species: A. catechu
Binomial name
Acacia catechu
(L.) Willd., Oliv.
Range of Acacia catechu
Range of Acacia catechu
Synonyms

Acacia catechu is a deciduous, thorny tree which grows up to 15m in height.[2] Common names for it include Catechu, Cachou and Black Cutch. It is found in Asia, China, India and the Indian Ocean area.[1]

Contents

Uses

Food

The tree's seeds are a good source of protein.[3]

Fodder

Branches of the tree are quite often cut for goat fodder and are sometimes fed to cattle.[3]

Medicinal uses

More specifically, the extract is used to treat sore throats and diarrhoea.[2]

Wood

The tree is often planted for use as firewood and its wood is highly valued for furniture and tools.[2] The wood has a density of about 0.88 g/cm³.[4]

Other uses

Its heartwood extract is used in dyeing, leather tanning, as a preservative for fishing nets, for medicine and as a viscosity regulator for oil drilling.[2]

Cultivation

The tree can be propagated by planting its seeds, which are soaked in hot water first. After about six months in a nursery, the seedlings can be planted in the field.[2]

Botanical varieties

See also

References

  1. ^ a b International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS)
  2. ^ a b c d e www.fao.org
  3. ^ a b World AgroForestry Database
  4. ^ FAO Appendix 1
  5. ^ hear.org

Gallery

flowers in Hyderabad, India.

leaves & fruits in Hyderabad, India.

leaves & flowers in Hyderabad, India.

trunk in Hyderabad, India.
Sister project Wikispecies has information related to: Acacia catechu
This article on a tree of the Fabaceae family is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This China-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This India-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.