Acacia catechu
| Acacia catechu | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Acacia |
| Species: | A. catechu |
| Binomial name | |
| Acacia catechu (L.) Willd., Oliv. |
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| Range of Acacia catechu | |
| Synonyms | |
Acacia catechu also commonly called Mimosa catechu, is a deciduous, thorny tree which grows up to 15 m (50 ft) in height.[2] The plant is called khair [3] in Hindi, and kachu in Malay, hence the name was Latinized to "catechu" in Linnaean taxonomy, as the type-species from which the extracts cutch and catechu are derived.[4] Common names for it include catechu, cachou, cutchtree, black cutch, and black catechu.
The genus name (see Acacia for further information) derives from the Greek word for its characteristic thorns, ακις (akis, thorn).[5]
The Acacia catechu is found in Asia, China, India and the Indian Ocean area.[1]
Through derivatives of the flavanols in its extracts, the species has lent its name to the important catechins, catechols and catecholamines of chemistry and biology.
Contents |
Uses[edit]
Food[edit]
_flowers_at_Hyderabad,_AP_W_IMG_7261.jpg)
The tree's seeds are a good source of protein.[6] Kattha (catechu), an extract of its heartwood, is used as an ingredient to give red color and typical flavor to paan. Paan, from the word pān in Hindi: पान, is an Indian and South East Asian tradition of chewing betel leaf (Piper betle) with areca nut and slaked lime paste.
Fodder[edit]
Branches of the tree are quite often cut for goat fodder and are sometimes fed to cattle.[6]
Traditional medicine[edit]
A wood extract called catechu is used in traditional medicine for sore throats and diarrhea.[2] The concentrated aqueous extract, known as khayer gum or cutch, is astringent.[7] It is used in Ayurvedic medicine.[8]
Wood[edit]
_trunk_at_Hyderabad,_AP_W_IMG_7264.jpg)
The tree is often planted for use as firewood and charcoal and its wood is highly valued for furniture and tools.[2] The wood has a density of about 0.88 g/cm³.[9]
Other uses[edit]
Its heartwood extract is used in dyeing, leather tanning, as a preservative for fishing nets, and as a viscosity regulator for oil drilling.[2]
Cultivation[edit]
_leaves_%26_fruits_at_Hyderabad,_AP_W_IMG_7263.jpg)
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[edit]
- Acacia catechu var. sundra (L.f.) Willd.[10]
_leaves_%26_flowers_at_Hyderabad,_AP_W_IMG_7262.jpg)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS)
- ^ a b c d e www.fao.org
- ^ www.haryana-online.com
- ^ http://www.yourdictionary.com/catechu Derivation of word from Malay
- ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. 1 A-C. CRC Press. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-8493-2675-2.
- ^ a b World AgroForestry Database
- ^ British Pharmacopoeia, Department of Health, British Pharmacopoeia Commission, London. The Stationary Office,(1999)
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=aTIVnugZofsC&pg=PA322&dq=Acacia+catechu+ayurveda&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xpjHUKXnHo7m8QSciYHgBw&ved=0CDwQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Acacia%20catechu%20ayurveda&f=false
- ^ FAO Appendix 1
- ^ hear.org
External links[edit]
Media related to Acacia catechu at Wikimedia Commons 
Data related to Acacia catechu at Wikispecies
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Acacia catechu |
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