Mimosaceae

Mimosaceae

Distribution of Mimosaceae:

It is commonly called Acacia family. It includes 40 genera and 2000 species. The members are mostly distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions. In India it is represented by 12 genera and 90 species.

Economic Importance of Mimosaceae:

The sub-family is not of much economic importance. A few members are however useful.

1.  Acacia catechu serves as a host for the lac insects. From this plant Katha is also obtained. Gum arabic is obtained from the barks of nilotica (syn. A. arabica) and A. Senegal. Saresh- a type of gum – is obtained from Albizzia lebbek.

The flowers of A. decurrens var. dealbata yield a perfume.

The bark of Acacia yields tannin which is used in leather tanning.

2. The wood of Adenanthera pavonina is powdered and yields a red dye.
3. Prosopis spicigera is grown as a hedge plant and also as a wind breaker in Rajasthan to check spreading desert, acts as water indicator.
4. Durable timber is obtained from Acacia melanoxylon, Lysistoma sabicu, Xylia dolabriformis (Iron wood)