Acacia

Acacia trees are is also known as ThronTree, Whistling Thorn or Wattle. Most of the Australian Acacias are non-thorny, while non-Australian Acacias are often thorny. Leaves of all species of Acacias bear large quantities of tannins, which is used as pharmaceuticals and preservatives. There are more than 1300 species of Acacia, (about 960 species are native to Australia) all of which are pod-bearing. Australian Acacias spread in the whole continent, and eventually became fire resistant, some 20 million years ago.

Important uses of Acacia

1. Seeds of Acacia are often used as food in various food products (mostly in Mexico). Acacia is an ingredient in variety of soft drinks, lollies. Feathery shoots of the tree is also used as food in Thailand, Laos, and Burma.
2. Several species of Acacia produces gum, especially Acacia senegal in West Africa (from Senegal to northern Nigeria) and Acacia arabica in India.
3. Acacia is used in preparation of medicines (Acacia catechu, Grar – Euthopian species of Acacia).
4. Acacia is widely used in gardens and road-side as ornamental plants. Some of the ornamental plants are Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Acacia xanthophloea (Fever tree), Acacia baileyana, Acacia dealbata, Acacia pycnantha and Acacia retinodes.
5. Acacia is also used in perfumes. Acacia farnesiana has a very strong fragrance.
6. Acacia is also used as furniture especially Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood) in Australia.
7. Some species of Acacia is used as pulpwood for paper industry.

 

Acacia Tree Flowers

Acacia Tree – Babul (Indian Gum Arabic Tree)

Elephant rips down 35 foot tall Fever Acacia tree