Cutch tree, Catechu acacia
Acacia catechu
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
Acacia catechu is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
It grows in dry open forest in the west of Thailand. They grow in the drier plains of India
S. & SE Asia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Edible Portion: Wood resin, Bark, Gum.
Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The heartwood extract of A. catechu, called pale catechu or “Katha” in Hindi has been widely used in traditional Indian medicinal system.
Other
Rating: 3
The wood is boiled to extract the resin. This is rolled into balls and grated and mixed with betel nuts and lime and chewed. “Kachu” (obtained after boiling the heart wood) is high in phenolics and used for chewing with betel leaf. Dense thorny branches provide nesting sites for granivorus birds like Munias (Lonchura spp.). Carbon - Farming. Industrial Crop: tannin, medicinal, gum, dye. Agroforestry Services: nitrogen. Fodder: insect.
Fodder: Food given to the animals (including plants cut and carried to them) rather than forage for themselves.
Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.
Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen: Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
Fodder: Insect: Plants grown for useful fodder insects.
Industrial Crop: Dye: Botanical dyes replacing synthetic dyes (known as heavy polluters).
Industrial Crop: Gum: Used as thickeners and gelling agents. Non-destructively harvested gums come from tapped trees and seed.
Industrial Crop: Medicinal: Most pharmaceuticals are synthesized from petroleum but 25% of modern medicines are based on plants.
Industrial Crop: Tannin: Occur generally in the roots, wood, bark, leaves, and fruit of many plants. Used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric, making ink, and medical applications.
Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen: Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
Fodder: Insect: Plants grown for useful fodder insects.
Industrial Crop: Dye: Botanical dyes replacing synthetic dyes (known as heavy polluters).
Industrial Crop: Gum: Used as thickeners and gelling agents. Non-destructively harvested gums come from tapped trees and seed.
Industrial Crop: Medicinal: Most pharmaceuticals are synthesized from petroleum but 25% of modern medicines are based on plants.
Industrial Crop: Tannin: Occur generally in the roots, wood, bark, leaves, and fruit of many plants. Used in tanning leather, dyeing fabric, making ink, and medical applications.
Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Climate: Tropical. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. Cultivation: regional crop. Management: coppice.
Propagating it: The tree is grown from seeds. It can be grown from cuttings.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Black catechu, Black cutch, Kachu, Karangalli, Keo cau, Khadira, Khair, Khayar, Mung-ting, Nya, Pohon akasia katecu, Sandra, See-siad, Seesiat nuea, Sha, Shaji, Tun-sa-se, Wadalee-Gum tree,
Synonyms
Mimosa catechu L.f.;Mimosa catechoides Roxburgh;Acacia catechuoides Benth.;Acacia sandra Bedd.;