Soap-Pod
Acacia concinna

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. The pods of this one are used for soap. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it grows from 500-1050 m altitude. It occurs naturally in rainforest and grassland. It is a tropical plant. It needs a frost free location. It requires good drainage. It prefers dry conditions and tolerates drought. It is found in dry forests. It grows in Yunnan in China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The acid fruit are used in Philippine cooking to give a sour flavour. They are roasted and eaten. The leaves and seeds are put into hot sour soup. They can also be curried with salted fish and coconut milk. The sour leaves are used as a substitute for tamarind. The seeds are edible after roasting. The young leaves are used in chutneys. They are also used in soups. The young shoots are used to make pickles or cooked as a vegetable. The flowers are used as a vegetable.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets in Cambodia and Laos.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. The seedlings can be transplanted.

Plants flower throughout the year. Fruit are on trees from February to March.

Its other names

Local names

Aila, Atouqie, Banritha, Chikaka, Chikakai, Kate-kate kecil, Keo dep, Kin-mon-chin, Kochi, Lahiur, Nemukazura, Phitaogiap, Ritha, Shikai, Shikakai, Shikaya, Sige, Sikakai, Soap-pod tree, Som poi, Song bai

Synonyms

Acacia concinna var. rugata (Benth.) Baker; Acacia hooperana Zipp. ex Miq.; Acacia philippinarium Benth.; Acacia poilanei Gagnep.; Acacia polycephala DC.; Acacia quisumbingii Merr.; Acacia rugata (Lamk.) Harm.; Guilandina microphylla DC.; Mimosa concinna Willd.; Mimosa rugata Lam.; Nygae sylvarum-minimae Rumph.;