ACACIA 419 



Suckers are produced more freely by A. planifrons and A. leucophloea, and in 

 profusion by A. dealbata and A. decurrens. 



Species 1. A. arabica, Willd. ; 2. A. leucophloea , Willd. ; 3. A. Catechu, 

 Willd. ; 4. A. jnodesta, Wsdl.; 5. A. Senegal, WiWd.; 6. A. planifrons, W. and 

 A. ; 7. A. Latronum, Willd. ; 8. A. Farnesiana, Willd. ; 9. A. eburnea, Willd. ; 

 10. Australian acacias : (1) A. decurrens, Willd., (2) A. dealbata, Link, 

 (3) A. Melanoxylon, R.Br. 



1. Acacia arabica, Willd. Syn. Mimosa arabica, Lam. Babul. Vern, 

 Babul, Hind. ; Kikar, Pb. ; Babar, Sind ; Jali, Kan. ; Nella tuma, Tel. ; 

 Karu velam, Tam. 



A moderate-sized almost evergreen tree with a short trunk, a spreading 

 crown, and feathery foliage. Bark dark brown, nearly black, pinkish brown 

 and hard inside, with regular deep longitudinal fissures which very often run 

 spirally up the tree. Young branches green, pubescent. Stipular spines 

 straight, white, up to 2 in. long, variable, sometimes absent in old trees. 



The tree varies much in size, remaining little more than a shrub in some 

 localities, and in others attaining a height of 50 to 60 ft. or even more, and 

 occasionally a girth of 8 to 10 ft. Brandis says the largest girth recorded is 

 16i ft. near Multan. 



Acacia arabica is probably the moSt important tree in the drier parts 

 of India. The sapwood is whitish and large : the heartwood is pink, turning 

 reddish brown on exposure, hard and very durable if well seasoned. The 

 wood is used for building, carts and carriages, wheel-work, agricultural imple- 

 ments, boat-building, and many other purposes, and is an excellent fuel. The 

 bark is extensively used for tanning. The pods are rich in tannin, and are 

 also largely used as fodder for cattle, goats, and sheep. The leaves and twigs 

 are used as fodder and the thorny branches as fencing material. The bark 

 exudes a gum largely used in dyeing and calico-printing and for native medicine. 

 Lac is grown on the tree in Sind. In the dry hot regions in which it grows 

 it is a useful shade tree with its spreading evergreen crown, and although its 

 shade is somewhat light it is frequently grown on camping grounds and along 

 roadsides. 



Varieties. Several varieties of Acacia arabica have been distinguished. 

 There are three ordinarily recognized varieties in India, which come true to 

 seed : these are (1) The typical A. arabica with spreading shady crown and 

 moniliform pods. This is the godi, teli, or telia babul, the wood of which is 

 much prized : this variety is the one of most importance economically, and 

 the one extensively grown in plantations or natural forest crops. (2) Var. 

 vediana, the vedi, kavadi, kaora, kaulia, or kauria babul. As compared with 

 the typical or telia variety this one is smaller, with a shorter bole, thp bark 

 is rougher and more fissured, with more pronounced exfoliation, the pods are 

 flat and little constricted between the seeds and are on shorter stalks, the 

 spines are more numerous, stouter and whiter and up to 2| in. long, the 

 crown is more spreading, while the branches are more twisted and interlacing. 

 The wood of the kauria babul is inferior to that of the telia, and is usually 

 considered fit only for firewood, though in cases of necessity it is used as timber, 

 particularly for agricultural implements : hence this variety is cut or weeded 

 out wherever possible in favour of the telia. This variety, which is common 



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