Economic importance of Acacia auriculiformis

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Acacia
Species: A. auriculiformis
Common name: Australian wattle
Origin: Australia

Description: Moderate sized ,evergreen tree, bark smooth, leaf stalks are modified into flattened blade called phyllode, which is narrowly oblong, slightly curved or sickle shaped, flower tiny, yellow, fragrant, crowded in axillary spikes. Pods are wide, flat, hard almost woody and much twisted in irregular coils. Initially green but turn brown on ripening.

Economic Importance:

• The primary use of the species is for fuel wood. Except this, the species does not have much economic value. The use of species for fuel is favoured because of the high calorific value being 4800 to 4900 kcal/kg. It also gives excellent charcoal that glows well and burns without smoke and sparks.
• The wood is used for making pulp. The pulp has high strength properties and is used in the pulp and paper industry.
• Timber is used for local furniture but only locally and not on a large scale.
• 13% of water soluble tannin is present in the bark which produces good quality leather.
• Because of its ability to survive inhospitable sites, it is much used in reclaiming wasteland areas, in conserving soil and water.
• Leaves may be utilised for the production of biogas as they are easily degradable.

Image Credit: J.M.Garg, Sec Source: Wikipedia