Introduction
Acaccia catechu is also known as Senegalia catechu or Khaira. Acacia catechu is a moderate sized decidious tree, grow about 12-15m tall. The Branches are glaborous armed with recurved thorns. It is commonly called as “Black catechu”. It is fairly a sturdy plant growing in variable climatic condition. It is a strong light demander normally found in dry region, grow in variety of soil and thrives best on porus alluvila well drained soil on riverian area. Acacia catechu is a drought tolerant plant, but young seedling require consistent moisture. Once established, the acacia catechu plant can survive on minimal water. Acacia catechu is a nitrogen fixing plant meaning it helps improve soil fertility by converting atomspheric nitrogen into a form that plant absorb. It is found in throughout india except in humid and temprate region. The plants occurs naturally in mixed decidious forest and savans of lower mountain and hills. It is mainly common in the drier regions on sandy soil or river banks and watersheds.
Native
It is Native to Asia. The plant is native to southern Himalayas of Pakistan, Northern India and Nepal. South to Andhra Pradesh in India and east to Burma and Thailand.
Habitat
It is widely distributed throughout India and China except humid and cold regions. It is easily available in Sub Himalayan tract and outer Himalayan from Jammu to Assam. It is also found in Eastern slope of Western Ghats.
Common Name
Cutch, Black Cutch, Cachou, terra, japnica, Black catechu, katha, Kaat, Khaira, Chandra, sansra.
Tree Height
The average height of the plant is 15 meter.
Stem
Colour of the bark is greyish brown that peeling off in long strips or some time in narrow and inside of the stem is red. The sapwood of this plant is whitish yellow in colour. The bark is almost 1.5cm thick.
Leaves
Green leaves are bipinnately compound with 50 pair of leaflets which look like beautiful feathers.
Flower
The tree produces tiny yellow Acacia Catechu flower that blooms in cluster. Flower of this plant are pale yellow in colour with cylindrical spikes. Flowering normally takes place from July to August.
Fruit
The fruit of the pods are wide, flat, thin brown and shining. Pods ripen during December -January and seed fall during january when they are reddish black just before dehisce. Pods are dried in the sun to open and seeds are collected dried and stored. Viability may retain up to 6 months.
Seed
Collects pods as soon as ripe and extracts seeds when dry. Pods should be spread in the sun for few days. In order to detach seeds from the pod valve. The seeds is badly subject to insect attack. It is advisable to sow the seed in the same year in which it is collected. The fertility of fresh undamaged seeds is high 73%. There are 15000- 40000 seeds /-Kgs. Normally viability of the seed is up to 6-7 month. Pretreatment immerse in boiling water, allow to cool for 24 hours or soak in concentrated sulphuric acid for 20-30 minute. Germination rate is 60-70% and germination period is 15-25 days. Presoaking in cold water for 12 Hours. seedlings are planted during next year July attain a height about 45cm. Naturally seeds germinate readily with moderate rain and require no special preparation to stimulate germionation .
Soil preference
Acacia catechu grows in wide range of soils, such as sandy, gravelly, alluvium. loam with variable proporation of sand and clay and black cotton soils. it is capable of growing on shallow soils with murram or kankar on which few other species can grow.
Sun requirement
It is a Strong light demander require plenty of sunlight.
Propagation
The tree can be propagated by planting its seeds , which are soaked in hot water first. Sow your seeds about 1-2cm deep in the seed bed. Water the soil throughly but ensure it is not water logged. Acacia catechu seeds prefers a slightly dry environment. Acacia catechu seeds will typiocally germinate within 2-3 weeks, but it may take longer depending on environmental condition. After about six month in a nursery, the seedling can be planted in the field.
General Uses
The wood of the Acacia catechu tree is highly prized for its strength and durability, making it valuable for construction, furniture and tool handels. Apart from that Khaira is hugely used blood tissue disorder such as fever, bleeding disorder etc. Khaki dye can be obtained from the bark . It is a valuable tree for goat and cattle. Fresh leave and small lower branches are eaten. It provides high calorific firewood that also make good quality charcoal. Its high density wood is resisstant to white ant and is used for posts agricultural implements and wheeled. The trees seeds are good source of protein. An extract of its heartwood gives characterstics flavour and red colour to paan. Soft stem of Khaira plant are great for massaging the gums and gently scrubbing of the teeth. Acacia catechu helps fight all kind of skin irritation and bitching.
Medicinal use
It is a very famous herb use for skin problem and management of blood related disorders. It is a great blood purifier and skin rejuvenating herb. Medicinal use for the bark to treat diarrhea, dysentry and wounds. The seeds for antibacterial action. Ther tree is also host for lac cultivation. The tree has been used for centuries in medicine and has proven to be beneficial for a number of known as well as unknown diseases. It is a very good blood purifier and has the ability to prevent and cure several skin diseases which are challenging now a days. It is a great blood purifier and skin rejuvenating herb. Khaira can be used to treat diseases like skin allergic condition, itching, cough, diabetes, worm infestations etc.
Hoarseness:- Take a piece of Catechu. Chew it until it dissolve in the mouth. do this twice a day.
Obesity- Powder it. Take a pinch and mix it one glass of luke warm water. Drink twice a day for seven days.
Toothache:-Take a small piece of catechu. Keep it near the affected tooth.
Gum diseases- Gargel using leave decoction of catechu once a Day.
Cough:- Take catechu leave paste with honey twice a day. A very strong combination of Acacia cataechu extract and milk can relieve complain of cough as well as bronchitis.
The distilled water of the plant is used to releive acute body pain.
Dental diseases:- Rub bark powder of catechu on your Gums and teeth
Leporsy:- Add 20g bark Powder of Catechu in your bathing water. Take bath with it.
Classification:-
Kingdom- Plantae, Family-Leguminose/fabaceae, Genus- Senegalia, Species- S.catechu