Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb.
Vernacular name: Khair, Khaira, Katha, Khadira (Hindi: खैर / खदिर); Black Cutch, Cutch Tree
Species Name: Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb. (syn. Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd.)
Family: Fabaceae
Habit: Deciduous, small to medium-sized thorny tree, commonly found in tropical dry deciduous forests.
Stem: Woody, erect and much-branched; bark greyish-brown to dark grey and becoming rough with age; young branches and other young parts may be hairy. Short, hooked prickles occur on the branches.
Leaf: Alternate, bipinnately compound; pinnae numerous, each bearing many pairs of small, closely arranged leaflets; a conspicuous gland is usually present near the base of the petiole, with additional small glands sometimes occurring between the pinnae.
Flowering: March–December
Flowers: Small, numerous, white to pale yellow, bisexual, with 5 sepals and 5 petals; stamens numerous and conspicuous. Flowers are densely packed along the flowering axis. Inflorescence dense cylindrical spikes, usually arising from the leaf axils; the spikes may reach about 12 cm long and contain numerous small flowers.
Fruit: Flat, straight to slightly curved pod, reddish-brown to brown at maturity, about 5–9 cm long, shining and containing several seeds.
Uses:
- Plant has high tannin content and is used in mouthwashes and gargles to treat gum diseases like gingivitis, throat swelling and mouth ulcers.
- Ayurveda use plant in treatment of dysentery, diarrhea and colitis.
- Powder or paste of plant parts have astringent properties and can be applied topically to treat wounds, soothe skin diseases and stop bleeding from minor injuries.
- Traditional and folk remedies uses plant to relieve joint pain and soothe muscle soreness.
- Seeds are good source of dietary protein.
- Kattha or catechu, heartwood extract gives astringent flavor and red colour to betel leaf (paan).
- Wood is dense and durable and can be used in production of furniture, tools and heavy construction. Wood can also be used to produce a very high-quality firewood and charcoal.
- Plant extracts is used as a traditional preservative coating on canvas and fishing nets.
- A dark brown or red tannin is extracted from bark or heartwood of plant that can be used as dye in textile industry and for tanning leather.
