Acacia mearnsii

General Description:

Acacia mearnsii, an evergreen tree, grows up to 6-25mt. in height and produces dark green foliage. The tree is native to Tasmania, Australia, and was introduced into India in the mid 19th century near Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Acacia mearnsii is now cultivated on plantation scale in the Nilgiries, the plains, and Kerala in South India and in Shillong (Assam) and Kohima (Nagaland). Acacia mearnsii leaves are bipinnate, and flowers with pale-yellow heads are distributed in simple or panicled, terminal or axillary racemes. The 3–12 cm long Pods are dark when pubescent, having 8 black Acacia mearnsii seeds, hanging from club-shaped arils. Acacia mearnsii seeds are primarily dispersed by birds and rodents. The tree is useful in many ways, the timber is used for making furniture, the charcoal is used as fuel and the pulp is used for making paper. The tree is very helpful in decreasing soil erosion and it is also used as an astringent.