Acacia catechu

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Acacia catechu
• Black Cutch
• Black catechu
• Catechu
• Cutch tree
• khairtree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia catechu
• Acacia catechu var. wallichiana
• Acacia catechu var. catechuoides
• Mimosa catechuoides
• Mimosa catechu
• Acacia wallichiana
• Mimosa spinosissima
• Acacia catechuoides
• Mimosa cate

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Senegalia, and its species name, catechu.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across specific regions within Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is notably present in Assam. It also inhabits the landscapes of Bangladesh. Finally, its range extends into the mountainous regions of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senegalia catechu is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients, primarily thriving within an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1300 m AMSL. This species typically occupies various tropical and subtropical landscapes, often favoring well-drained soils and areas with seasonal moisture availability. Its distribution within these specific elevations allows it to inhabit diverse microclimates, ranging from lowland dry forests to mid-elevation scrublands, where it plays a role in stabilizing soil and providing structural complexity to its habitat.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Senegalia catechu is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. Throughout its life cycle, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal changes or environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senegalia catechu is characterized by its stature as a substantial tree, typically reaching an average plant height of approximately 20 m. It possesses a woody structure and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent existence, functioning as a non-parasitic plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senegalia catechu is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The structural integrity and biomass accumulation of the plant are supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 868 mg/cm³, indicating a relatively dense and robust wood structure. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships to enhance soil nutrient availability and support its growth requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

868 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senegalia catechu is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The flowering cycle of this species is extensive, typically beginning in May and continuing through to November, although the specific timing can be variable. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.04457 g. The individual seed weight varies within a specific range, with a minimum mass recorded at 0.0263 g and a maximum mass reaching 0.063 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Nov

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.063 g

Seed mass mean:

0.04457 g

Seed mass min:

0.0263 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senegalia catechu has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Chemicals

Senegalia catechu has 62 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Epicatechin, Flavonoids, D-galactose, Gallic acid.

CATECHIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Yakushigaku zasshi
4. Journal of medicinal food
5. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Epicatechin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Yakushigaku zasshi
3. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer

D-galactose

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Procyanidin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

TAXIFOLIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yakushigaku zasshi

catechins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

epicatechin-3-O-gallate

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Senegalia catechu has 337 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antinociceptive, Anticancer.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. BioMed research international
4. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer
5. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
3. BioMed research international
4. Indian journal of microbiology

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. BioMed research international

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiulcer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical biology & drug design

Chemopreventive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Senegalia catechu has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diarrhea, fever, heartburn, hypertension.

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Heartburn

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Senegalia catechu has 18 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract, "Shengdeng", Ethanolic extracts, Heartwood extract, aqueous and methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extract

1. Indian journal of microbiology
2. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

"shengdeng"

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of food protection

Heartwood extract

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Aqueous and methanolic extracts

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Aqueous extract

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Aqueous extracts

1. Phytochemistry

Bark

1. Applied and environmental microbiology

Heartwoods

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)