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Useful Tropical Plants

Senegalia lenticularis

(Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.) Ragup. et al.

Fabaceae


Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to other genera. This species is transferred to Senegalia[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Acacia lenticularis Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.

Common Name: Chah

No Image.

General Information

Senegalia lenticularis is a moderately thorny, small, deciduous tree[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
The tree is cultivated as a shade tree and also to provide food wood and fuel for local use[
1299
Title
Biomass production and nutrient dynamics of Acacia lenticularis (L.) Willd-Curcuma domestica Valeton agroforestry sy
Publication
Indian Journal of Agroforestry Vol. 17 No 1: 74-80 (2015)
Author
Das D.K.; Laik R.; Chaturvedi O.P.
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Known Hazards

Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References


Range

E. Asia - Pakistan, Nepal, India, south to Tamil Nadu

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height6.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details



A fast-growing tree that can produce high yields of timber and fuel with a rotation of 15 - 20 years[
1299
Title
Biomass production and nutrient dynamics of Acacia lenticularis (L.) Willd-Curcuma domestica Valeton agroforestry sy
Publication
Indian Journal of Agroforestry Vol. 17 No 1: 74-80 (2015)
Author
Das D.K.; Laik R.; Chaturvedi O.P.
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The tree can yield up to 1 kilo of gum annually[
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Edible Uses

A gum exudes naturally from the trunk and branches. Very wholesome, though it is usually only eaten in times of scarcity[
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Medicinal

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[
601
Title
The Useful Native Plants of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Maiden J.H.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Turner & Co.; London.
Year
1889
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[
601
Title
The Useful Native Plants of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Maiden J.H.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Turner & Co.; London.
Year
1889
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Used as a shade tree in tea plantations[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].
The tree is often used in agroforestry systems within its native range in order to provide shade, to act as a boundary and also to provide nitrogen for crops such as wheat (Triticum species), maize (Zea mays), turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus sp.). It is an important tree for reclaiming degraded and abandoned agricultural lands because of its ability to improve soil properties, stabilize soils and conserve water[
1299
Title
Biomass production and nutrient dynamics of Acacia lenticularis (L.) Willd-Curcuma domestica Valeton agroforestry sy
Publication
Indian Journal of Agroforestry Vol. 17 No 1: 74-80 (2015)
Author
Das D.K.; Laik R.; Chaturvedi O.P.
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

A gum exudes naturally from the trunk and branches[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. The gum is a tolerable substitute for the true gum-arabic (Vachellia nilotica), but the mucilage is weak, and the red colour often objectionable.

The wood is very hard[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. A good quality wood[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
The wood is used for fuel[
1299
Title
Biomass production and nutrient dynamics of Acacia lenticularis (L.) Willd-Curcuma domestica Valeton agroforestry sy
Publication
Indian Journal of Agroforestry Vol. 17 No 1: 74-80 (2015)
Author
Das D.K.; Laik R.; Chaturvedi O.P.
Publisher
 
Year
2015
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Propagation

The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[
1294
Title
Potential of Australian Acacias in combating hunger in semi-arid lands
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3):161-169 (2002)
Author
Rinaudo A.; Patel P.; Thomson L.A.J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Senegalia+lenticularis>

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