PEST RISK ANALYSIS (PRA) TRAINING Group Exercises Manual

PEST RISK ANALYSIS TRAINING - GROUP EXERCISES MANUAL APPENDIX 7
Data Sheet for Acacia Species
Acacia is a large genus comprising more than 1000 species belonging to the family Leguminosae,
subfamily Mimosoideae. They are distributed in the warm and drier regions of the world mainly in the
tropics and subtropics and are more prevalent in Australia and Africa.
Synonym: Acacia arabica
Acacia nilotica sub.sp. indica
Distribution: Throughout the greater part of India in forest areas, roadsides, farmlands and tank
foreshores. It is found all over Tamil Nadu. It is also cultivated. It is either gregarious in patches of
forests or in groups or single tree in fields. It grows well in two types of soils i.e. riverian alluvial soil
and black cotton soil. The largest tracts are found in Sind. There are three varieties of this babul: Telia
babul, Kauria babul and Ramkanta babul.
Uses: Foliage: Tender branches are fodder for goats and sheep. Leaves are good for treatment of
diarrhoea. Pods/seeds: Food for goats and sheep. Seeds useful in treating stomach complaints and skin
disorders. Bark: Medicinal use in toothache, tannins can be extracted. Wood: Hard, heavy and durable
timber useful in house construction, for making agricultural implements, as firewood and for charcoal
making. Agroforestry: Often used to demarcate fields.
Propagation: By natural regeneration and seedlings. Seeds from goat and sheep pens are better for
artificial sowing than those collected from pods.
Acacia leucophloea Willd.
Distribution: It is widely distributed throughout the greater part of India and in dry deciduous forests.
It is not generally planted but occurs in almost all districts of Tamil Nadu.
Uses: Foliage: Rich in proteins and is a good nutritious supplement for animals. Pods: Fodder for
animals. Bark: Rich in tannins. It is bitter and acrid and is used in treating diseases of the blood. Bark
is boiled with red earth and applied locally on the body to treat heart pain. Also used in curing
inflammation, bronchitis and as native medicine in leprotic conditions. Tannins used in preserving
hides and skins. Gum: Produces a pleasant smelling vapour on igniting, also used in indigenous
medicine. Wood: Timber is hard, strong and tough, used in oil mills, cartwheels and turnery and as
splints for cattle in treating bone injury.
Propagation: By natural regeneration.
Acacia farnesiana Willd.
Distribution: This is a native of tropical America. It is cosmopolitan in the tropics and found in the
greater part of Indian subcontinent, sometimes growing gregariously in the loose sandy soils of river
beds in northern India. Live trees make a good fence. In Tamil Nadu, it is distributed mostly in
Chengalpattu, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirapalli and Tirunelveli districts.
Uses: The plant is one of the ingredients in Sushruta’s "Ksharagada", a preparation for the treatment of
snakebite. Foliage: Leaves can be used as a substitute for tamarind in chutneys. Leaves are also used
for treatment of wounds and ulcers. Bark: It is used in treating stomatitis, itching, bronchitis,
leucoderma and ulcers. In the Philippines, stem bark is used for treating prolapsus ani and leucorrhoea.
Gum: This is usually marketed with acacia gums. It is sweetish and is used as an aphrodisiac in
Ayurveda. It is also useful in confectionary. Flowers: These are fragrant and are the source of the
much valued "Cassie" perfume. A mature tree yields about a kg of flower in season from November to
March from its 3rd year. Pods: Contain tannins. Wood does not seem to have any use.
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