Acacia Modesta

Acacia Modesta

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom:	Plantae
clade:	Angiosperms
clade:	Eudicots
clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Mimosoideae
Tribe:	Acacieae
Genus:	Acacia

Habitat:

Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not. They are pod-bearing, with sap and leaves typically bearing large amounts of tannins and condensed tannins that historically in many species found use as pharmaceuticals and preservatives. Acacias are also known as thorntrees, whistling thorns or wattles, including the yellow-fever acacia and umbrella acacias.

The genus Acacia previously contained roughly 1300 species, about 960 of them native to Australia, with the remainder spread around the tropical to warm-temperate regions of both hemispheres, including Europe, Africa, southern Asia, and the Americas. However, in 2005 the genus was divided into five separate genera. The name Acacia was retained for the majority of the Australian species and a few in tropical Asia, Madagascar and Pacific Islands.

Economic Importance:

Food Uses:

·         Acacia seeds are often used for food and a variety of other products.

·         In Burma, Laos and Thailand, the feathery shoots of Acacia pennata and are used in soups, curries, omelettes, and stir-fries.

·         In Mexico the seeds are known as Guajes. Guajes or huajes are the flat, green pods of an acacia tree. The pods are sometimes light green or deep red in color—both taste the same. The dried seeds may be toasted and salted and eaten as a snack referred to as cacalas.

·         Acacia is listed as an ingredient in Sun Drop, Fresca, a citrus soft drink, RC Cola, Barq's root beer, Full Throttle Unleaded Energy Drink, Strawberry-Lemonade Powerade as well as in Lakerolpastille candies, Altoids mints, Langer's Pineapple coconut Juice, Wrigley's Eclipse chewing gumand M&Ms Pretzel.

·         Honey labeled under the term 'Acacia Honey' is a type of honey produced by bees from a false acacia known as black locust in North America

Gum:

·         Various species of acacia yield gum. True gum Arabic is the product of Acacia Senegal, abundant in dry tropical West Africa from Senegal to northern Nigeria.

·         Acacia arabica is the gum-Arabic tree of India, but yields a gum inferior to the true gum-Arabic.

Medicinal Uses:

·         Many Acacia species have important uses in traditional medicine. Most of the uses have been shown to have a scientific basis since chemical compounds found in the various species have medicinal effects.

·         In Ayurvedic medicine, Acacia nilotica is considered a remedy that is helpful for treating premature ejaculation.

Ornamental Plants:

·         A few species are widely grown as ornamental in gardens; the most popular perhaps is Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), with its attractive glaucous to silvery leaves and bright yellow flowers, it is erroneously known as mimosa.

·         Ornamental species of acacia are also used by homeowners and landscape architects for home security. The sharp thorns of some species deter unauthorized persons from entering private properties, and may prevent break-ins if planted under windows and near drainpipes. The aesthetic characteristics of acacia plants, in conjunction with their home security qualities, makes them a considerable alternative to artificial fences and walls.

Paints and Perfumes:

·         The ancient Egyptians used Acacia in paints.

·         Acacia as a fragrance dates back centuries.

Wood:

·         Some Acacia species are valuable as timber, such as Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood) from Australia, which attains a great size; its wood is used for furniture, and takes a high polish; and Acacia omalophylla (Myall Wood, also Australian), which yields a fragrant timber used for ornaments.

Ecological Importnance:

For the same reasons it is favored as an erosion-control plant, with its easy spreading and resilience, some varieties of acacia, are potentially an invasive species. One of the most globally significant invasive Acacias is Black Wattle Acacia  mearnsii, which is taking over grasslands and abandoned agricultural areas worldwide, especially in moderate coastal and island regions where mild climate promotes its spread. Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment gives it a "high risk, score of 15" rating and it is considered one of the world's 100 most invasive species. Extensive ecological studies should be performed before further introduction of acacia varieties as this fast-growing Genus, once introduced, spreads fast and is extremely difficult to eradicate.

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