Rusty acacia
Acacia ferruginea

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is drought resistant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Bark - drink, gum

How it is grown

Plants flower March to May and pods ripen November to February.

Its other names

Local names

Ansandra, Banni, Banni mara, Kaigu, Kanta chira, Karivelam, Khour, Khaiger, Kiri banni, Safed khair, Sha-byu

Synonyms

Mimosa ferruginea Roxb.; Senegalia ferruginea (DC.) Pedley;