Systematic Position
Class -Dicotyledonae
Sub-class-Polypetalae
Series-Calyciflorae
Order-Rosales
Family-Leguminosae
Sub-family-Mimosaceae (Mimosoideae)
Generally shrubs and trees, rarely herbs (Neptunia). Pinnate compound leaves.
(1) Infloresence is cymose head.
(2) Flowers hypogynous and actinomorphic, tetra to pentamerous.
(3) Odd sepal anterior, gamosepalous.
(4) Petals membranous with valvate aestivation, polypetalous.
(5) Stamens indefinite, polyandrous, in many whorls.
(6) Monocarpellary superior ovary, unilocular with marginal placentation.
(7) Fruit is usually legume, lomentum in Acacia.
F.F. Br.
K(5) C5
G1
Gum is obtained from Acacia nilotica, A.sinensus, Gum arabic from A. senegal. Saponins are obtained from Albizia amara, used for washing hair and preparation of shampoos.
Flowers of Acacia farnesiana are source of Cassie perfume, fibres of Acacia nilotica are used in paper industry. Bark of Prosopis is used in rheumatism.
(1) Mimosa indica (Touch me not)
(2) Leucaena leucocephala (Subabool)
(3) Albizzia lebbek (Siris)
(4) Acacia arabica (Gum tree)
(5) Acacia senegal (Gum arabic)
(6) Acacia catechu (Kattha)
(7) Acacia nilotica (Babul or kikkar)
(8) Prosopis