Senegalia chundra is a perennial, deciduous tree found in Asia, India and in the Indian Ocean area. It grows 12 to 15 metres in height.[2]

Senegalia chundra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Senegalia
Species:
S. chundra
Binomial name
Senegalia chundra
(Roxb. ex Rottler) Maslin
Range of Senegalia chundra
Synonyms[1]
  • Acacia catechu (Rottler) Willd.
  • Acacia catechu auct. non Willd.
  • Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. var. sundra (Roxb.) Prain
  • Acacia sundra (Roxb.) DC.
  • Mimosa chundra Rottler

Common names for it include karangali, kodalimurunkai, lal khair, lal khair, rat kihiriya and red cutch.

Its uses include chemical and wood products.

Uses

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The wood is used for certain applications in shipbuilding.[3] The tree is used for timber, for cutch (catechutannic acid)[4] from its wood and for tannin. It is also used as food for bees.[5] It is a preferred nesting site for the scaly-breasted munia.

Kheersal is found as a white substance in the tree's wood. Cutch is sought after commercially as a dye and to preserve fabrics from weather, mildew and marine exposure.[4]

Conservation

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Senegalia chundra is considered "moderately threatened". In India it is now necessary to get a permit before cutting this tree down.[6]

References

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