Acacia catechu

Acacia catechu
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.
Range of Acacia catechu
Synonyms
Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. var. catechuoides (Roxb.)Prain Acacia catechuoides (Roxb.) Benth. Acacia sundra (Roxb.) Bedd. Acacia wallichiana DC. Mimosa catechu L.f. Mimosa catechuoides Roxb.[1]

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.

Uses

Food

The tree's seeds are a good source of protein.^[6] It is also used as an ingredient in 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

Branches of the tree are quite often cut for goat fodder and are sometimes fed to cattle.^[6]

Medicinal uses

More specifically, the extract, called catechu is used to treat sore throats and diarrhoea.^[2]Useful in passive diarrhoea either alone, or in combination with cinnamon or apium; the concentrated aqueous extract, known as khayer gum or cutch is astringent.^[7]

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.^[8]

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

• edit] See also
  • Catechu
  • Catechin
  • Pyrocatechol

  References

  1. ^ ^{a b} International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS)
  2. ^ ^{a b c d e} www.fao.org
  3. ^ www.haryana-online.com
  4. ^ http://www.yourdictionary.com/catechu Derivation of word from Malay
  5. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. 1 A-C. CRC Press. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-8493-2675-2. http://books.google.com/?id=esMPU5DHEGgC. 
  6. ^ ^{a b} World AgroForestry Database
  7. ^ British Pharmacopoeia, Department of Health, British Pharmacopoeia Commission, London. The Stationary Office,(1999)
  8. ^ FAO Appendix 1
  9. ^ hear.org

  External links

  Media related to Acacia catechu at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Acacia catechu at Wikispecies