Acacia
(ka´sh) , any plant of
large leguminous genus Acacia, often thorny shrubs and trees of family Leguminosae (pulse family). Chiefly of tropics and subtropics, they are cultivated for decorative and economic purposes. Acacias are characteristic of savanna vegetation and are especially numerous in South African bushveld. The foliage often appears feathery because of many small leaflets, but in some species leaflike flattened stems contain chlorophyll and take place of leaves. Various Old World species (especially A. arabica and A. senegal ) yield gum arabic; other species, chiefly A. catechu, yield dye catechu. Blackwood (A. melanoxylon) is valued in Australia for its hardwood timber. Other members of genus are valuable for lac, for perfume and essential oils, and for tannins; some are used as ornamentals. The Australian acacias are commonly called wattles–their pliable branches were woven into structure of early wattle houses and fences and Wattle Day celebrates national flower at blossoming time. Many wattles are cultivated elsewhere, particularly in California, as ornamentals for their characteristic spherical, dense flowers. The Central American bullhorn acacias (e.g., A. sphaerocephala) have large hollow thorns inhabited by ants that are said to feed upon a sweet secretion of plant and in turn guard it against leaf-eating insects. The most common acacia indigenous to United States is cat's-claw (A. gregii) of arid Southwest. The biblical shittim wood is thought to have come from an acacia. Various species of locust are sometimes called acacia, and acacias may be called mimosa; all are of same family. Acacia is classified in division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Leguminosae.
Common names, Cape gum, Egyptian thorn, Gum Arabic tree, Gum acacia, Gum Arabic,India gum tree,Bablah pods, Acacia bambolah.
Acacia is a small, spiny, leguminous tree or shrub. After rainy season ends, stem begins to exude gum, which is collected from December to June for marketing as gum Arabic. The acacia has alternate, bipinnate leaves and axillary racemes of yellow flowers arranged in globose heads. The fruit is an oblong pod.
Grows in sandy soil, mostly in tropical Africa
Acacia was a sacred wood for ancient Hebrews. Moses used acacia wood in building Ark of Covenant and sacred Tabernacle (see Exodus, chapters 25-40).
According to Near-Eastern Christian legend, a thorny species of acacia was used for Christ's crown of thorns.
Moapa Paiute name for acacia is "Pah oh pimb." Used for inflammation of eyes, due to dust; vaqueros and travelers habitually carry acacia seeds and put 4 in each eye on retiring.
Gum Arabic's main effect is to form a protective, soothing coating over inflammations in respiratory, alimentary, and urinary tracts. It is helpful for coughs, sore throat, and catarrh, eyewash, diarrhea, and dysentery. Sweetened, it is sometimes used for typhoid fever.
Acacia greggii Taxonomy: Magnoliophyta (angiosperm), Magnoliopsida (dicot), Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae)
Common names: catclaw, Gregg cat claw, cat's claw acacia, tear blanket, devils claw, paradise flower, long-flowered catclaw, Texas mimosa, uña de gato.
Acacia greggii is a member of Fabaceae family; it is native to Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Catclaw occurs primarily in semi-desert grasslands and brushy range lands largely confined to washes. It is often found on upper slopes of a bajada (Spanish for downhill) where moisture is more available than middle or lower bajada situations. Catclaw has highest water requirements of several species of desert shrubs tested, partially explaining why although it is found in arid regions, is often confined to dry washes or stream bottoms with relatively shallow water tables.
