Acacia nilotica (L.) Del.ssp. indica (Benth.) Brenan

Accepted

Acacia nilotica tree

Acacia nilotica spine

Acacia nilotica seeds

Acacia nilotica leaf

Acacia nilotica fruit

Acacia nilotica flower

Acacia nilotica bark

🗒 Synonyms

synonym

Acacia nilotica ssp. indica

🗒 Common Names

English	Babul/Egyptian Thorn Babul tree Black babool Black babul Egyptian mimosa Indian gum arabic tree
Hin	Babool
Hindi	Babul Kikar
Kannada	Kari jaali
Malayalam	Babool Karivelum Karuvelakam
Other	Babool
Tamil	Karu Vela

📚 Overview

Overview

Summary

Brief

Flowering class: Dicot Habit: Tree Distribution notes: Exotic

Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

Attributions	Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors	D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Diagnostic

Diagnostic Keys

Description

Habit: Small tree

G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram

Attributions	G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
Contributors	Sanjana Julias Thilakar G Renu D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Trees, to 8 m high; bark black with deep narrow longitudinal fissures, running spirally up the tree, exudation gummy; blaze pinkish-brown; branchlets blackish or greyish, smooth, the young ones densely pubescent with short stiff patent hairs. Leaves bipinnate, alternate, stipulate; stipular spines in pairs, upto 5 cm, straight, slender, white with grey spots; rachis 5-7 cm, slender, pulvinate, grooved above, pubescent; pinnae 4-9 pairs, 1.5-3 cm, slender, with a gland near the lowermost pinnae on upper side, pubescent; leaflets 20-40, opposite, sessile; lamina 3-4 x 1-2 mm, linear, oblong or linear-oblong, base oblique, apex obtuse, margin entire, glabrous, chartaceous; midrib more or less central, lateral nerves obscure. Flowers bright yellow, in heads on axillary peduncle; involucre of 2 bracteoles near or above the mid peduncle; calyx campanulate, 1-2 x 0.8-1.5 mm, glabrescent, teeth triangular to ovate; corolla 2.5-3.5 mm long, often puberulous, lobes oblong to ovate; stamens many, 4.5-5 mm long, filaments basally connate; ovary terete, stipitate, puberulous; style 5.5-6.5 mm long. Fruit a pod 7.6-23 x 1.3-2 cm, flattened, strap-shaped, straight to slightly curved, deeply constricted between seeds, bullate over seeds, beaked at apex; densely grey-felted, glaucous, greyish-green, turning black on drying, attenuate at base into stipe, dehiscent; seeds 8-13, flat 5 x 4 mm, black.

Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

Attributions	Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors	D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Bark black, fissured. Fruit a beaded pod. Spines paired.

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

SubSpecies Varieties Races

Diagnostic Keys

Description

No Data

📚 Nomenclature and Classification

Nomenclature and Classification

Taxon Record Name

References

Type Information

No Data

📚 Natural History

Natural History

Life Cycle

Cyclicity

Flowering and fruiting: July-October

Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

Attributions	Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors	D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Leaf Fall

March--April

Flowering

June--September

Fruiting

September--June

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Reproduction

Propagation Techniques

Soak seeds in cold water for 48hrs.

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Migration

Dispersal

Dispersers

Dispersers: Self,Livestock

Pollinators

Pollinators: Bee,Insect

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Life Expectancy

Size

Seed Size

0.8 cm.

Tree Height

10 m.

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Growth

Moderate

Competitiveness

Medium

Where To Plant

Main field,Field border,Avenue

Growth Rate

slow growing

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Drainage

Poor

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Morphology

Field Tips

Pod like a beaded necklace. Bark dark brown and rough.

Flower

In globose heads, bright yellow. Flowering from August-October.

Fruit

A pod. Seeds many. Fruiting from October onwards.

Leaf Apices

Rotund

Leaf arrangement

Alternate distichous

Leaf Bases

Oblique

Leaf Margins

Entire

Leaf Shapes

Elliptic

Leaf Types

Bipinnate

Habit

A medium sized tree.

Keystone Foundation

Attributions	Keystone Foundation
Contributors	Keystone Foundation
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Tree Type

Deciduous

Canopy

Semi

Leaf Type

Kaggli like

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Miscellaneous Details

Notes: Found on fields and bunds along river banks

G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram

Attributions	G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
Contributors	Sanjana Julias Thilakar G Renu D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Gum/resin extracted from the pod is used for inks and dyes. Wood used for agricultural implements.

Keystone Foundation

Attributions	Keystone Foundation
Contributors	Keystone Foundation
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Interesting Facts

Planted along foreshore areas of lakes as it can tolerate long periods of water logging. Very hard durable wood, used for making ploughs.

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

No Data

📚 Habitat and Distribution

Habitat and Distribution

General Habitat

Introduced and planted

Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

Attributions	Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors	D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Common in plains; mostly in arable lands from the coast to 900 m. India.

Keystone Foundation

Attributions	Keystone Foundation
Contributors	Keystone Foundation
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Distribution

Description

Global Distribution

North India to North Africa through West Asia

Indian distribution

State - Kerala, District/s: Wayanad, Alappuzha, Idukki, Palakkad

Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

Attributions	Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors	D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Maharashtra: Kolhapur

G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram

Attributions	G. Renu, Sanjana Julias Thilakar, D. Narasimhan, Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram
Contributors	Sanjana Julias Thilakar G Renu D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Throughout India, except Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram.

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Endemic Distribution

Nativity

Native

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

No Data

📚 Occurrence

Occurrence

No Data

📚 Demography and Conservation

Demography and Conservation

Not Evaluated

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Threats

Legislation

Protection Legal Status

No Data

📚 Uses and Management

Uses and Management

Uses

System of Medicines Used In

Ayurveda

Siddha

System Of Medicines Used In

Ayurveda, Siddha

FRLHT's ENVIS Centre on Medicinal Plants: http://envis.frlht.org/plant_details.php?disp_id=28

Attributions	FRLHT's ENVIS Centre on Medicinal Plants: http://envis.frlht.org/plant_details.php?disp_id=28
Contributors	FRLHT-ENVIS
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Medicinal

Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi

Attributions	Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
Contributors	D. Narasimhan
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

The bark is used to cure fevers. A paste made from the seeds is applied to children's foreheads to ward off evil spirits.

Keystone Foundation

Attributions	Keystone Foundation
Contributors	Keystone Foundation
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY
References

Medicinal :

Medicinal : bark,fruit

Food:

Food: Inedible

Fodder:

Fodder: Browse resistant

Fuelwood:

Fuelwood: Good fuelwood

Services And Uses

Nitrogen fixing, Live fence, Nectar source, Green manure, Timber, Implements, Tanning and dyeing

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

Folklore

Management

No Data

📚 Information Listing

Information Listing

Species Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN)

Encyclopedia of Life (EOL)

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)

References

D K Ved, Suma Tagadur Sureshchandra, Vijay Barve, Vijay Srinivas, Sathya Sangeetha, K. Ravikumar, Kartikeyan R., Vaibhav Kulkarni, Ajith S. Kumar, S.N. Venugopal, B. S. Somashekhar, M.V. Sumanth, Noorunissa Begum, Sugandhi Rani, Surekha K.V., and Nikhil Desale. 2016. (envis.frlht.org / frlhtenvis.nic.in). FRLHT's ENVIS Centre on Medicinal Plants, Bengaluru. http://envis.frlht.org/plant_details.php?disp_id=28

Acacia arabica Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 293. 1878, non (Lam.) Willd. 1808; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 425(301). 1919.
Mimosa arabica Lam., Encycl. 1: 19. 1783.
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. ssp. indica (Benth.) Brenan, Kew Bull. 12: 84. 1957; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 185. 1990; Sanjappa, Legumes Ind. 42. 1992; Chakrab. & Gangop., Journ. Econ. Tax. Bot. 20: 619. 1996; Sasidh., Fl. Chinnar WLS 118. 1999; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 263. 2009; Ratheesh Narayanan, Fl. Stud. Wayanad Dist. 332. 2009.
Mimosa nilotica L., Sp. Pl. 521. 1753.
Acacia arabica Hook. f. var. indica Benth. in Hook.'s London J. Bot. 1: 500. 1842.

Flora of Kolhapur District, Yadav S. R & Sardesai M. M, 2002

Information Listing > References

D K Ved, Suma Tagadur Sureshchandra, Vijay Barve, Vijay Srinivas, Sathya Sangeetha, K. Ravikumar, Kartikeyan R., Vaibhav Kulkarni, Ajith S. Kumar, S.N. Venugopal, B. S. Somashekhar, M.V. Sumanth, Noorunissa Begum, Sugandhi Rani, Surekha K.V., and Nikhil Desale. 2016. (envis.frlht.org / frlhtenvis.nic.in). FRLHT's ENVIS Centre on Medicinal Plants, Bengaluru. http://envis.frlht.org/plant_details.php?disp_id=28
Acacia arabica Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 2: 293. 1878, non (Lam.) Willd. 1808; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 425(301). 1919.
Mimosa arabica Lam., Encycl. 1: 19. 1783.
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. ssp. indica (Benth.) Brenan, Kew Bull. 12: 84. 1957; Vajr., Fl. Palghat Dist. 185. 1990; Sanjappa, Legumes Ind. 42. 1992; Chakrab. & Gangop., Journ. Econ. Tax. Bot. 20: 619. 1996; Sasidh., Fl. Chinnar WLS 118. 1999; Sunil & Sivadasan, Fl. Alappuzha Dist. 263. 2009; Ratheesh Narayanan, Fl. Stud. Wayanad Dist. 332. 2009.
Mimosa nilotica L., Sp. Pl. 521. 1753.
Acacia arabica Hook. f. var. indica Benth. in Hook.'s London J. Bot. 1: 500. 1842.
Flora of Kolhapur District, Yadav S. R & Sardesai M. M, 2002

Images

No Data

📚 Meta data

Meta data

Map5.tif
Acacia_nilotica_LC.tif
5 Kaggli-like leaf.tif

Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016

Attributions	Kavitha, A., N. Deepthi, R. Ganesan, S. C. Gladwin Joseph. Common Dryland Trees of Karnataka: Bilingual Field Guide. Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, 2016
Contributors	A Kavitha Deepthi Narasimhaiah Ganesan R gladwin joseph
Status	UNDER_CREATION
Licenses	CC_BY_NC
References

No Data

🐾 Taxonomy

Root	Root
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Not assigned
Class	Not assigned
Order	Not assigned
Family	Mimosaceae
Genus	Not assigned
Species	Not assigned
Infraspecies	Acacia nilotica (L.) Del.ssp. indica (Benth.) Brenan

📊 Temporal Distribution

📷 Related Observations

👥 Groups

India Biodiversity Portal