Monday, August 2, 2010

Acacia cyclops A. Cunn. ex G. Don

Uses

Producing a dense high quality firewood, this species has been recommended for stabilization of coastal dunes. Goats and antelope browse the phyllodes. The seeds and their oily funicles are eaten by birds, primates, and rodents, and if crushed, might be suitable for cattle.

Folk Medicine

With its high tannin content, the species could serve as an astringent.

Chemistry

Bark has yielded 6.5% tannin, or in Natal, up to 12.1%. Seed contains 10% of fixed oil, the aril or funicle 40%.

Description

Dense, evergreen bushy shrub, often multistemmed, or small tree 3 to 8 m tall, with a rounded crown . In windy coastal sites it forms a hedge less than 0.5 m high. The foliage comprises light green phyllodes, varnished when young, and growing in a downward vertical position. Pods, maturing in summer, are not shed, but remain on the tree, exposing the seeds to predators and dispersers.

Germplasm

Reported from the Australian Center of Diversity, Acacia cyclops is reported to tolerate drought, salt, sand, weed, and wind.

Distribution

Native to southwestern Australia, where it grows mostly on coastal sand dunes. Used for stabilization in South Africa, it is spreading on sand and sandstone into coastal bush and heathland. This is an extremely weedy species spread by birds into indigenous vegetation. Once established, it is difficult to remove or replace. There is little vegetation cover beneath an Acacia cyclops thicket. The seeds remain viable in the soil for many years. It is relatively slow growing.

Ecology

Acacia cyclops can grow in dry areas with annual precipitation less than 300 mm. Tolerating salt spray, wind, sand-blast, or salinity, it is useful for dune stabilization. This species has a high light demand; it will not survive in deep shade. Monthly temperature means within the distribution range of this species vary from 5°C in winter to 31°C in summer. It is slightly resistant to frost. The species is generally found below 300 m altitude where annual rainfall is 200 to 800 mm. It grows on quartzitic or calcareous sand or limestone. It also is found in drier sites such as dune crests (NAS, 1980a).

Cultivation

Direct sowing of pretreated seed is recommended (NAS, 1980a). Seed are treated with abrasion, acid, and hot water treatment.

Harvesting

Trees may be harvested as needed. This species rarely coppices, and mature trees do not survive felling. The pods are nondeciduous and are therefore not easily gathered. Unlike many Acacia species, it is not considered a valuable tannin or gum producer (NAS, 1980a).

Yields and Economics

Standing biomass of Acacia cyclops in the southwestern cape of Africa, where it is replacing indigenous Fynbos vegetation and coastal shrub communities, was 131 MT/ha. Of this, the litterfall was said to represent 7.4% of the total biomass, 21.2% of the canopy mass.

Energy

Recommended by the NAS (1980a) as a firewood source. The wood is dense, the logs rarely exceeding 20 cm in diameter. It is a very popular firewood in South Africa, sold regularly in Cape Town. The annual litterfall of four Acacia species naturalized in the South African Cape, comprising 60% foliage and 30% reproductive structures, averages 7 MT/ha, double the value expected in evergreen scrub communities in winter rainfall regions. Standing biomass in the Acacia thickets is ca 10 times greater than that of mature Fynbos (11–26 MT/ha) and shrublands in other Mediterranean climates (15–30 MT/ha). Acacias lose ca 10% of their standing crop annually as litter, at a rate 3–4 times that of the Mediterranean heath and shrub communities. The litter accumulates on the ground. In a mature thicket, the dry mass of the ground litter per unit area exceeds that of the living canopy. The ground litter layer runs 14–28 MT/ha, which is fairly average by world standards. "The annual nitrogen and phosphorus input by Acacia litter should be about nine times as great per unit area as that of Fynbos." Assuming an N content of 1.5% and a P content of 1.13%, Acacia litter would contribute 105 kg N/ha and 92 kg P. In an area where the annual precipitation averages between 500 and 750 mm/yr and the annual temperature average ranges between 16 and 18°C, with radiation averaging 450–500 Langleys/day (Capetown has an average annual precipitation of ca 600 mm, average temperature approaching 18°C), the total annual litterfall is 9,680 kg/ha, with 1.4% as flowers, 35.5% as pods, 5.3% as seed, 11.3% as twigs, 39.0% as phyllodes, and 7.7% unidentified fragments. The total standing biomass was 131 MT/ha DM, ˜±4% (Milton, 1981).

Biotic Factors

Most African Acacias are thought to be cross pollinated. Pests and diseases are not an important factor in South Africa; in fact, the lack of seed destroyers is partly responsible for the weediness of the species. Grazers may damage seedlings.

References

  • N.A.S. 1980a. Firewood crops. Shrub and tree species for energy production. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • Milton, S.J. 1981. Litterfall. of the exotic acacias in the southeastern cape. J. S. Afr. Bot. 47(2):147-155.

Acacia cyclops A. Cunn. ex G. Don

Uses

Producing a dense high quality firewood, this species has been recommended for stabilization of coastal dunes. Goats and antelope browse the phyllodes. The seeds and their oily funicles are eaten by birds, primates, and rodents, and if crushed, might be suitable for cattle.

Folk Medicine

With its high tannin content, the species could serve as an astringent.

Chemistry

Bark has yielded 6.5% tannin, or in Natal, up to 12.1%. Seed contains 10% of fixed oil, the aril or funicle 40%.

Description

Dense, evergreen bushy shrub, often multistemmed, or small tree 3 to 8 m tall, with a rounded crown . In windy coastal sites it forms a hedge less than 0.5 m high. The foliage comprises light green phyllodes, varnished when young, and growing in a downward vertical position. Pods, maturing in summer, are not shed, but remain on the tree, exposing the seeds to predators and dispersers.

Germplasm

Reported from the Australian Center of Diversity, Acacia cyclops is reported to tolerate drought, salt, sand, weed, and wind.

Distribution

Native to southwestern Australia, where it grows mostly on coastal sand dunes. Used for stabilization in South Africa, it is spreading on sand and sandstone into coastal bush and heathland. This is an extremely weedy species spread by birds into indigenous vegetation. Once established, it is difficult to remove or replace. There is little vegetation cover beneath an Acacia cyclops thicket. The seeds remain viable in the soil for many years. It is relatively slow growing.

Ecology

Acacia cyclops can grow in dry areas with annual precipitation less than 300 mm. Tolerating salt spray, wind, sand-blast, or salinity, it is useful for dune stabilization. This species has a high light demand; it will not survive in deep shade. Monthly temperature means within the distribution range of this species vary from 5°C in winter to 31°C in summer. It is slightly resistant to frost. The species is generally found below 300 m altitude where annual rainfall is 200 to 800 mm. It grows on quartzitic or calcareous sand or limestone. It also is found in drier sites such as dune crests (NAS, 1980a).

Cultivation

Direct sowing of pretreated seed is recommended (NAS, 1980a). Seed are treated with abrasion, acid, and hot water treatment.

Harvesting

Trees may be harvested as needed. This species rarely coppices, and mature trees do not survive felling. The pods are nondeciduous and are therefore not easily gathered. Unlike many Acacia species, it is not considered a valuable tannin or gum producer (NAS, 1980a).

Yields and Economics

Standing biomass of Acacia cyclops in the southwestern cape of Africa, where it is replacing indigenous Fynbos vegetation and coastal shrub communities, was 131 MT/ha. Of this, the litterfall was said to represent 7.4% of the total biomass, 21.2% of the canopy mass.

Energy

Recommended by the NAS (1980a) as a firewood source. The wood is dense, the logs rarely exceeding 20 cm in diameter. It is a very popular firewood in South Africa, sold regularly in Cape Town. The annual litterfall of four Acacia species naturalized in the South African Cape, comprising 60% foliage and 30% reproductive structures, averages 7 MT/ha, double the value expected in evergreen scrub communities in winter rainfall regions. Standing biomass in the Acacia thickets is ca 10 times greater than that of mature Fynbos (11–26 MT/ha) and shrublands in other Mediterranean climates (15–30 MT/ha). Acacias lose ca 10% of their standing crop annually as litter, at a rate 3–4 times that of the Mediterranean heath and shrub communities. The litter accumulates on the ground. In a mature thicket, the dry mass of the ground litter per unit area exceeds that of the living canopy. The ground litter layer runs 14–28 MT/ha, which is fairly average by world standards. "The annual nitrogen and phosphorus input by Acacia litter should be about nine times as great per unit area as that of Fynbos." Assuming an N content of 1.5% and a P content of 1.13%, Acacia litter would contribute 105 kg N/ha and 92 kg P. In an area where the annual precipitation averages between 500 and 750 mm/yr and the annual temperature average ranges between 16 and 18°C, with radiation averaging 450–500 Langleys/day (Capetown has an average annual precipitation of ca 600 mm, average temperature approaching 18°C), the total annual litterfall is 9,680 kg/ha, with 1.4% as flowers, 35.5% as pods, 5.3% as seed, 11.3% as twigs, 39.0% as phyllodes, and 7.7% unidentified fragments. The total standing biomass was 131 MT/ha DM, ˜±4% (Milton, 1981).

Biotic Factors

Most African Acacias are thought to be cross pollinated. Pests and diseases are not an important factor in South Africa; in fact, the lack of seed destroyers is partly responsible for the weediness of the species. Grazers may damage seedlings.

References

  • N.A.S. 1980a. Firewood crops. Shrub and tree species for energy production. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • Milton, S.J. 1981. Litterfall. of the exotic acacias in the southeastern cape. J. S. Afr. Bot. 47(2):147-155.

Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn.

Uses

Used for fuelwood plantations as an ornamental and shade tree, quite tolerant of heat, the Australian species is widely planted in Oceana and southeast Asia. The wood is also employed for making farm tools and furniture (NAS, 1983a). Recent Australian tests suggest that 10-year old trees can be pulped readily by the sulfate process, giving high pulp yields, with good strength properties. Also produces high quality pulp by the neutral sulfite semichemical process. The tannin produces a good quality leather, inclined to redden upon exposure to sunlight (NAS, 1980a). The plant is amazing in its ability to recolonize wastes, papermill sludge, pH ca 9.5; even uranium spoils, pH ca 3.0; the only tree found on 20-year old uranium spoil. Used for the cultivation of the lac insect in India.

Folk Medicine

No data available.

Chemistry

The gum contains 5.3% ash, 0.92% N, and 1.68% methoxyl, and ca 27.7% uronic acid. The sugar from the gum after hydrolysis, contained 10.1% 4-0-methylglucuronic acid, 17.6% glucuronic acid, 59% galactose, 8% arabinose, and 5% rhamnose (Anderson, 1978). Bark contains ca 13% water.

Description

Resilient, vigorously growing, crooked or gnarled deciduous or evergreen tree, possibly attaining 30 m height, 60 cm DBH. Leaves alternate, simple flattened phyllodes, lanceolate or oblong, arcuate, long-attenuate at both ends, 10–16 cm long, ca 1.5–2.5 cm broad, thick coriaceous, glabrous with several long parallel veins from the base. Spikes 5–8 cm long, paired at the leaf bases. Flowers sessile, ca 3 mm long, the calyx glabrous, 5-toothed, the 5 petals ca 2 mm long. Stamens numerous, filiform, ca 3 mm long. Ovary pubescent, the style filiform. Pods 6–8 cm long, 1–1.5 cm broad, flattened but coiled. Seeds several, flattened-ellipsoid, ca 5 mm long, with a reddish or orangish aril (Little, 1983). Seeds 53,000–62,000/kg.

Germplasm

Reported from the Australian Center of Diversity, Acacia auriculiformis, or cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate alkalinity, desiccation, drought, fire, high pH, laterite, poor soil, sand dunes, and savanna. It is intolerant of hurricane, shade, and weeds, at least in early stages. Once established, the tree is quite competitive with weeds. Though somewhat tolerant of fire, it is not so resistant as Eucalyptus. (2n = 26)

Distribution

Native to the savannas of New Guinea, islands of the Torres Strait, and northern Australia, it has been widely introduced, e.g. in Fiji, India, Indonesia, Java, Malaysia, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, the Soloman Islands, Uganda, and Zanzibar.

Ecology

Estimated to range from Subtropical Moist to Wet through Tropical Dry to Wet Forest Life Zones, Acacia auriculiformis is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 7.5 to 27 dm, annual temperature of 26 to 30°C, and pH of 3.0 to 9.5. With practically no maintenance it will grow on a wide range of deep and shallow soils, compacted clays, coral soils, laterites, limestone, mica schist, mine spoil, podzols, even sand dunes and unstable slopes.

Cultivation

It has been suggested as an interplant with long-term timber Dalbergias, itself serving as a short-term but renewable firewood source. Seeds, storable for 18 months in airtight containers, should be soaked in hot water for 24 hours. Sow in full light, allowing 6 days for germination (ca 80% germination after 2–4 weeks). To reforest grassland, burn and plant in holes ca 36 x 30 x 30 cm, spaced at 1–2.5 or 1–3 m if intercropped with Cassia siamea. Recent spacings have been 2.5 x 2.5 m.

Harvesting

In Indomalaysia, stands are operated on 10–12 year rotations. Trees coppice poorly. Indonesians have gotten some coppice when trees are cut at least 50 cm above the ground. When trees are felled, there is usually a swarm of seedlings, so cutover stands regenerate readily.

Yields and Economics

With rainfall at 2700 mm, at 3 years, average height of a stand with 1010 trees/ha was 12.4 m, average diameter 12.2 cm, standing wood volume 73.2 m3/ha; at age 4, 13.1 m, 13.6 cm, and 96.1 m3/ha. Stemwood volume is ca 60% of total above ground biomass. Leaf biomass is important, the LAI being 7–8, good for shading out weeds. Average amount of dead litter is 4800 kg/ha. In Java, there may be 3 MT/ha leaves and 2 MT/ha twigs and branches beneath the trees (NAS, 1982a). On infertile abandoned sites in Papua, trees grew 6 m in 2 years, 17 m in 8 years. On shallow arid soils in West Bengal, yields were only 5m3/ha/yr at the 15th year. Under moister conditions 10 m3 is reported, 17–20 in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Energy

Wiersum and Ramlan report that yields can run higher than 20 m3/ha/yr on a 10–20 year rotation. On poor soils yields drop to 8–12 m3. On the Island of Madura, with annual rainfall 1700–1900 mm, 7–12 year old rotations run 7.6–9 m3/ha/yr, but on West Bengalese laterites with annual precipitation 1,000–14,000 mm, yields are only 2–6 m3/ha/yr in 10–20 year rotations. With its capacity to produce good fuelwood on poor soils, even where there are extended dry seasons, the species "merits large scale testing as a fuelwood species" (NAS, 1980). Wood has specific gravity of 0.6–0.75 and calorific value of 4,800–4,900 kcal/kg. Wood yields excellent charcoal that glows well and burns without smoke or sparks. Litter beneath the trees, both branches and dried leaves, annually adds up to 4.5–6 MT/ha, all used for fuel in China. Hawaiian grown material possesses N-fixing nodules.

Biotic Factors

While no pest or disease problems are reported in Indonesia, insects and nematodes have been reported to attack seedlings in Zanzibar. The rust Uromyces digitatus has been a problem in Java, where it is also occasionally infested with a rather inocuous black mildew, Meliola adenanphererae. In India, the root rots are Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma applanatum. Hypothenemus dimorphus has caused shoot fatality in Malaysia. The weevil Hypomeces squamosus can be a pest in India and Malaysia. Used to cultivate Kerria lacca in India. On Java, the ant Iridomyrmex rufoniger may protect the plant from some phytophagous insects.

References

  • Anderson, D.M.W. 1978. Chemotaxonomic aspects of the chemistry of acacia gum exudates. Kew Bull. 32(3):529–536.
  • Little, E.L. Jr. 1983. Common fuelwood crops: a handbook for their identification. McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV.
  • N.A.S. 1980a. Firewood crops. Shrub and tree species for energy production. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • N.A.S. 1982. Priorities in biotechnology research for international development. Proceedings of a Workshop. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
  • N.A.S. 1983a. Producer gas: another fuel for motor transport. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn.

Uses

Used for fuelwood plantations as an ornamental and shade tree, quite tolerant of heat, the Australian species is widely planted in Oceana and southeast Asia. The wood is also employed for making farm tools and furniture (NAS, 1983a). Recent Australian tests suggest that 10-year old trees can be pulped readily by the sulfate process, giving high pulp yields, with good strength properties. Also produces high quality pulp by the neutral sulfite semichemical process. The tannin produces a good quality leather, inclined to redden upon exposure to sunlight (NAS, 1980a). The plant is amazing in its ability to recolonize wastes, papermill sludge, pH ca 9.5; even uranium spoils, pH ca 3.0; the only tree found on 20-year old uranium spoil. Used for the cultivation of the lac insect in India.

Folk Medicine

No data available.

Chemistry

The gum contains 5.3% ash, 0.92% N, and 1.68% methoxyl, and ca 27.7% uronic acid. The sugar from the gum after hydrolysis, contained 10.1% 4-0-methylglucuronic acid, 17.6% glucuronic acid, 59% galactose, 8% arabinose, and 5% rhamnose (Anderson, 1978). Bark contains ca 13% water.

Description

Resilient, vigorously growing, crooked or gnarled deciduous or evergreen tree, possibly attaining 30 m height, 60 cm DBH. Leaves alternate, simple flattened phyllodes, lanceolate or oblong, arcuate, long-attenuate at both ends, 10–16 cm long, ca 1.5–2.5 cm broad, thick coriaceous, glabrous with several long parallel veins from the base. Spikes 5–8 cm long, paired at the leaf bases. Flowers sessile, ca 3 mm long, the calyx glabrous, 5-toothed, the 5 petals ca 2 mm long. Stamens numerous, filiform, ca 3 mm long. Ovary pubescent, the style filiform. Pods 6–8 cm long, 1–1.5 cm broad, flattened but coiled. Seeds several, flattened-ellipsoid, ca 5 mm long, with a reddish or orangish aril (Little, 1983). Seeds 53,000–62,000/kg.

Germplasm

Reported from the Australian Center of Diversity, Acacia auriculiformis, or cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate alkalinity, desiccation, drought, fire, high pH, laterite, poor soil, sand dunes, and savanna. It is intolerant of hurricane, shade, and weeds, at least in early stages. Once established, the tree is quite competitive with weeds. Though somewhat tolerant of fire, it is not so resistant as Eucalyptus. (2n = 26)

Distribution

Native to the savannas of New Guinea, islands of the Torres Strait, and northern Australia, it has been widely introduced, e.g. in Fiji, India, Indonesia, Java, Malaysia, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, the Soloman Islands, Uganda, and Zanzibar.

Ecology

Estimated to range from Subtropical Moist to Wet through Tropical Dry to Wet Forest Life Zones, Acacia auriculiformis is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 7.5 to 27 dm, annual temperature of 26 to 30°C, and pH of 3.0 to 9.5. With practically no maintenance it will grow on a wide range of deep and shallow soils, compacted clays, coral soils, laterites, limestone, mica schist, mine spoil, podzols, even sand dunes and unstable slopes.

Cultivation

It has been suggested as an interplant with long-term timber Dalbergias, itself serving as a short-term but renewable firewood source. Seeds, storable for 18 months in airtight containers, should be soaked in hot water for 24 hours. Sow in full light, allowing 6 days for germination (ca 80% germination after 2–4 weeks). To reforest grassland, burn and plant in holes ca 36 x 30 x 30 cm, spaced at 1–2.5 or 1–3 m if intercropped with Cassia siamea. Recent spacings have been 2.5 x 2.5 m.

Harvesting

In Indomalaysia, stands are operated on 10–12 year rotations. Trees coppice poorly. Indonesians have gotten some coppice when trees are cut at least 50 cm above the ground. When trees are felled, there is usually a swarm of seedlings, so cutover stands regenerate readily.

Yields and Economics

With rainfall at 2700 mm, at 3 years, average height of a stand with 1010 trees/ha was 12.4 m, average diameter 12.2 cm, standing wood volume 73.2 m3/ha; at age 4, 13.1 m, 13.6 cm, and 96.1 m3/ha. Stemwood volume is ca 60% of total above ground biomass. Leaf biomass is important, the LAI being 7–8, good for shading out weeds. Average amount of dead litter is 4800 kg/ha. In Java, there may be 3 MT/ha leaves and 2 MT/ha twigs and branches beneath the trees (NAS, 1982a). On infertile abandoned sites in Papua, trees grew 6 m in 2 years, 17 m in 8 years. On shallow arid soils in West Bengal, yields were only 5m3/ha/yr at the 15th year. Under moister conditions 10 m3 is reported, 17–20 in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Energy

Wiersum and Ramlan report that yields can run higher than 20 m3/ha/yr on a 10–20 year rotation. On poor soils yields drop to 8–12 m3. On the Island of Madura, with annual rainfall 1700–1900 mm, 7–12 year old rotations run 7.6–9 m3/ha/yr, but on West Bengalese laterites with annual precipitation 1,000–14,000 mm, yields are only 2–6 m3/ha/yr in 10–20 year rotations. With its capacity to produce good fuelwood on poor soils, even where there are extended dry seasons, the species "merits large scale testing as a fuelwood species" (NAS, 1980). Wood has specific gravity of 0.6–0.75 and calorific value of 4,800–4,900 kcal/kg. Wood yields excellent charcoal that glows well and burns without smoke or sparks. Litter beneath the trees, both branches and dried leaves, annually adds up to 4.5–6 MT/ha, all used for fuel in China. Hawaiian grown material possesses N-fixing nodules.

Biotic Factors

While no pest or disease problems are reported in Indonesia, insects and nematodes have been reported to attack seedlings in Zanzibar. The rust Uromyces digitatus has been a problem in Java, where it is also occasionally infested with a rather inocuous black mildew, Meliola adenanphererae. In India, the root rots are Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma applanatum. Hypothenemus dimorphus has caused shoot fatality in Malaysia. The weevil Hypomeces squamosus can be a pest in India and Malaysia. Used to cultivate Kerria lacca in India. On Java, the ant Iridomyrmex rufoniger may protect the plant from some phytophagous insects.

References

  • Anderson, D.M.W. 1978. Chemotaxonomic aspects of the chemistry of acacia gum exudates. Kew Bull. 32(3):529–536.
  • Little, E.L. Jr. 1983. Common fuelwood crops: a handbook for their identification. McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV.
  • N.A.S. 1980a. Firewood crops. Shrub and tree species for energy production. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • N.A.S. 1982. Priorities in biotechnology research for international development. Proceedings of a Workshop. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
  • N.A.S. 1983a. Producer gas: another fuel for motor transport. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

Acacia albida Del.

Uses

Acacia albida is a widely used tree well documented for increasing the yields of crops grown under it. According to VITA (1977) "A. albida is highly valued in conservation efforts. It is the only species which loses its leaves during the rainy season; therefore, farming under these trees is not only possible but profitable." It is held sacred by the Africans of the Transvaal. In Nigeria, the pod is used as camel food. The gum that exudes spontaneously from the trunk is sometimes collected like gum arabic. The timber, though straight grained, close, and weighty, is soft, fibrous, and unsuitable for agricultural implements (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). One writer even questions its value for fuel wood. Masai use it as the soft flat wood upon which the firestick is twirled to make fire. Wood is used for canoes, mortars, and pestles. The bark is pounded in Nigeria and used as a packing material on pack animals. Ashes of the wood are used in making soap and as a depilatory and tanning agent for hides. VITA (1977) says the wood is used for carving; the thorny branches useful for a natural barbed fence. Pods and foliage are highly regarded as livestock fodder. Some 90% of Senegalese farmers interviewed by Felker (1981) collected, stored, and rationed Acacia alba pods to livestock. Rhodesians use the pods to stupefy fish. Humans eat the boiled seeds in times of scarcity in Rhodesia. Apparently it is erroneously taken as an indicator of a shallow well site.

Folk Medicine

Reported to serve as an emetic in fevers (Masai), taken for diarrhea in Tanganyika. Also used for colds, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and ophthalmia in West Africa. The bark of the Ana tree is a folk remedy for diarrhea among several tribes. On the Ivory Coast it is used for leprosy. The bark decoction curtails nausea. A liniment, made by steeping the bark, is used for bathing and massage in pneumonia. The bark infusion is used for difficult delivery, and is used as a febrifuge for cough (Irvine, 1961). Pods worn as charm by African women and children to avert smallpox.

Chemistry

The following table is reproduced, with permission from FAO's Tropical Feeds (1981):

Nutritive Table (Gohl, 1981)



As % of dry matter

DM CP CF Ash EE NFE Ca P
Fresh flowers, Sudan 17.8 19.0 12.5 9.7 1.6 57.2
Fresh whole leaves, Niger
19.7 19.6 7.2 1.6 51.9 1.00 0.23
Fresh leaflets, Sudan 36.3 17.1 12.4 8.4 2.3 59.8
Pods, Tanzania
8.8 24.4 3.7 1.4 61.7 0.65 0.23
Pods, Niger
14.3 24.7 6.3 1.5 53.2 1.11 0.14


Digestibility

Animal CP CF EE NFE ME
Pods Cattle 51.0 16.5 71.4 74.8 2.09
Bark contains 2–28% tannin, the fruit 5–13%.

Description

A large thorny tree up to 20 m high and >2 m in diameter; bole forming up to 1/3 of height of tree; bark dull grey, fissured when old, crown dense; tree puts out leaves during dry season and sheds them during rains; branchlets light grey, spiny only at nodes, spines straight, up to 1 in. long; leaves pale and glaucous, bluish grey, glabrous or pubescent, 2-pinnate, 9 to numerous pairs of pinnae, cup-like glands on rachis, each pinna with 12 or more pairs of leaflets, leaflets oblong, up to 1 cm long, hairy, unequal at base; flowers (Jan., Apr., Nov.) in yellow spikes 10–12.5 cm long; fruits (Jan., May, Nov.) bright yellowish green when dry, up to 12–15 x 4 cm, slightly curved, ends rounded (Irvine, 1961).

Germplasm

Reported from the African Center of Diversity, the Ana Tree, or cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate poor soil, drought, savanna, and some waterlogging (VITA, 1977). Back in 1978, when Senegalese farmers wanted seedlings, none were available. There is great variability in the morphology and pod yields. Selection of wild plants for pod yield and/or fast growth would be a worthwhile contribution to arid developing countries. (2n = 26)

Distribution

Native to the Transvaal and Southwest Africa, through West and North Africa to Egypt, East Africa.

Ecology

Probably ranging from Tropical Thorn to Subtropical Moist Forest Life Zones, the Ana Tree is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 3 to 6dm. Irvine (1961) describes it as the largest thorn tree in Savanna Forest, especially in inhabited areas; often left untouched, sometimes gregarious. In more mesic Sahelian regions (400–600 mm/yr), yields of millet, peanuts, and sorghum are increased from ca 500 to ca 900 kg/ha/yr by growing under the canopy of Acacia albida (Felker, 1978). Does best in sandy soils, growing well where millet grows. Though faring best on sandy soils, it will tolerate heavier soils with some waterlogging.

Cultivation

As late as 1978, techniques for establishing new seedlings had not been worked out, according to Felker (1978). Seeds devoid of bruchid holes should be scarified and started in deep containers to accomodate development of the tap root. Good-sized plants develop in 10–14 weeks, but frequent root pruning is advised. Transplants from the wild are usually unsuccessful because of the long tap root. VITA (1977) has a novel approach, feeding the seed to livestock, which then graze the desired areas, eliminating seeds with their manure. Nursery plantings, spaced at 10 x 10 m may require watering at first, and protection from grazing animals for 5–8 years.

Harvesting

Peasants gather pods to feed to their cattle, or lop the foliage in the dry season, when most other trees are leafless.

Yields and Economics

According to FAO (1980) a full grown tree can produce more than 100 kg pod/yr. Felker (1978) notes that pod yields range from 6–135 kg/tree. Some scientists believe that yields could be managed to a much higher level than those of the grasses and annual crops grown under the tree. Trees have reached 2 to 4 m after only 3 or 4 years growth.

Energy

Related species such as Acacia tortilis have been reported to yield giraffe forage to the tune of 5 MT/ha/yr. Yield increases under Acacia albida correlate with a several fold increase in soil N and organic matter, coupled with improved soil water-holding capacity. Acacia albida has been shown to nodulate and reduce acetylene. While Acacias cannot be recommended for cold and/or humid or everwet climates, they are suggested by the NAS (1980a) as firewood sources in developing countries. Among the species they consider are Acacia arabica, auriculiformis, brachystachya, cambagei, cyanophylla, cyclops, dealbata, decurrens, ehrenbergiana, fistula, heteracantha, holosericea, lysiophloia, mangium, mearnsii, mollissima, nilotica, nubica, raddiana, saligna, senegal, seyal, spirocarpa, tortilis, and verek. The Ana Tree was not recommended for firewood.

Biotic Factors

Caterpillars, locusts, and grazing animals may destroy the seedlings.

References

FAO Handbooks in Press (FAO, 1982)
1. Taxonomy of Acacia spp.
2.Seed Collection, Handling, Storage and Treatment of Acacia spp.
3. Seed Insects in Acacia spp.
  • FAO. 1980a. 1979. Production yearbook. vol. 33. FAO, Rome.
  • Felker, P. 1981. Uses of tree legumes in semiarid regions. Econ. Bot. 35(2):174–186.
  • Felker, P. 1978. State of the art: Acacia albida as a complementary intercrop with annual crops. USAID Information Services. Washington.
  • Gohl, B. 1981. Tropical feeds. Feed information summaries and nutritive values. FAO Animal Production and Health Series 12. FAO, Rome.
  • Irvine, F.R. 1961. Woody plants of Ghana. Oxford University Press. London.
  • N.A.S. 1980a. Firewood crops. Shrub and tree species for energy production. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • VITA. 1977. Reforestation in arid lands. VITA Publications. Manual Series 37E.
  • Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. 2nd ed. E.&S. Livingstone, Ltd., Edinburgh and London.

Acacia albida Del.

Uses

Acacia albida is a widely used tree well documented for increasing the yields of crops grown under it. According to VITA (1977) "A. albida is highly valued in conservation efforts. It is the only species which loses its leaves during the rainy season; therefore, farming under these trees is not only possible but profitable." It is held sacred by the Africans of the Transvaal. In Nigeria, the pod is used as camel food. The gum that exudes spontaneously from the trunk is sometimes collected like gum arabic. The timber, though straight grained, close, and weighty, is soft, fibrous, and unsuitable for agricultural implements (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). One writer even questions its value for fuel wood. Masai use it as the soft flat wood upon which the firestick is twirled to make fire. Wood is used for canoes, mortars, and pestles. The bark is pounded in Nigeria and used as a packing material on pack animals. Ashes of the wood are used in making soap and as a depilatory and tanning agent for hides. VITA (1977) says the wood is used for carving; the thorny branches useful for a natural barbed fence. Pods and foliage are highly regarded as livestock fodder. Some 90% of Senegalese farmers interviewed by Felker (1981) collected, stored, and rationed Acacia alba pods to livestock. Rhodesians use the pods to stupefy fish. Humans eat the boiled seeds in times of scarcity in Rhodesia. Apparently it is erroneously taken as an indicator of a shallow well site.

Folk Medicine

Reported to serve as an emetic in fevers (Masai), taken for diarrhea in Tanganyika. Also used for colds, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and ophthalmia in West Africa. The bark of the Ana tree is a folk remedy for diarrhea among several tribes. On the Ivory Coast it is used for leprosy. The bark decoction curtails nausea. A liniment, made by steeping the bark, is used for bathing and massage in pneumonia. The bark infusion is used for difficult delivery, and is used as a febrifuge for cough (Irvine, 1961). Pods worn as charm by African women and children to avert smallpox.

Chemistry

The following table is reproduced, with permission from FAO's Tropical Feeds (1981):

Nutritive Table (Gohl, 1981)



As % of dry matter

DM CP CF Ash EE NFE Ca P
Fresh flowers, Sudan 17.8 19.0 12.5 9.7 1.6 57.2
Fresh whole leaves, Niger
19.7 19.6 7.2 1.6 51.9 1.00 0.23
Fresh leaflets, Sudan 36.3 17.1 12.4 8.4 2.3 59.8
Pods, Tanzania
8.8 24.4 3.7 1.4 61.7 0.65 0.23
Pods, Niger
14.3 24.7 6.3 1.5 53.2 1.11 0.14


Digestibility

Animal CP CF EE NFE ME
Pods Cattle 51.0 16.5 71.4 74.8 2.09
Bark contains 2–28% tannin, the fruit 5–13%.

Description

A large thorny tree up to 20 m high and >2 m in diameter; bole forming up to 1/3 of height of tree; bark dull grey, fissured when old, crown dense; tree puts out leaves during dry season and sheds them during rains; branchlets light grey, spiny only at nodes, spines straight, up to 1 in. long; leaves pale and glaucous, bluish grey, glabrous or pubescent, 2-pinnate, 9 to numerous pairs of pinnae, cup-like glands on rachis, each pinna with 12 or more pairs of leaflets, leaflets oblong, up to 1 cm long, hairy, unequal at base; flowers (Jan., Apr., Nov.) in yellow spikes 10–12.5 cm long; fruits (Jan., May, Nov.) bright yellowish green when dry, up to 12–15 x 4 cm, slightly curved, ends rounded (Irvine, 1961).

Germplasm

Reported from the African Center of Diversity, the Ana Tree, or cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate poor soil, drought, savanna, and some waterlogging (VITA, 1977). Back in 1978, when Senegalese farmers wanted seedlings, none were available. There is great variability in the morphology and pod yields. Selection of wild plants for pod yield and/or fast growth would be a worthwhile contribution to arid developing countries. (2n = 26)

Distribution

Native to the Transvaal and Southwest Africa, through West and North Africa to Egypt, East Africa.

Ecology

Probably ranging from Tropical Thorn to Subtropical Moist Forest Life Zones, the Ana Tree is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 3 to 6dm. Irvine (1961) describes it as the largest thorn tree in Savanna Forest, especially in inhabited areas; often left untouched, sometimes gregarious. In more mesic Sahelian regions (400–600 mm/yr), yields of millet, peanuts, and sorghum are increased from ca 500 to ca 900 kg/ha/yr by growing under the canopy of Acacia albida (Felker, 1978). Does best in sandy soils, growing well where millet grows. Though faring best on sandy soils, it will tolerate heavier soils with some waterlogging.

Cultivation

As late as 1978, techniques for establishing new seedlings had not been worked out, according to Felker (1978). Seeds devoid of bruchid holes should be scarified and started in deep containers to accomodate development of the tap root. Good-sized plants develop in 10–14 weeks, but frequent root pruning is advised. Transplants from the wild are usually unsuccessful because of the long tap root. VITA (1977) has a novel approach, feeding the seed to livestock, which then graze the desired areas, eliminating seeds with their manure. Nursery plantings, spaced at 10 x 10 m may require watering at first, and protection from grazing animals for 5–8 years.

Harvesting

Peasants gather pods to feed to their cattle, or lop the foliage in the dry season, when most other trees are leafless.

Yields and Economics

According to FAO (1980) a full grown tree can produce more than 100 kg pod/yr. Felker (1978) notes that pod yields range from 6–135 kg/tree. Some scientists believe that yields could be managed to a much higher level than those of the grasses and annual crops grown under the tree. Trees have reached 2 to 4 m after only 3 or 4 years growth.

Energy

Related species such as Acacia tortilis have been reported to yield giraffe forage to the tune of 5 MT/ha/yr. Yield increases under Acacia albida correlate with a several fold increase in soil N and organic matter, coupled with improved soil water-holding capacity. Acacia albida has been shown to nodulate and reduce acetylene. While Acacias cannot be recommended for cold and/or humid or everwet climates, they are suggested by the NAS (1980a) as firewood sources in developing countries. Among the species they consider are Acacia arabica, auriculiformis, brachystachya, cambagei, cyanophylla, cyclops, dealbata, decurrens, ehrenbergiana, fistula, heteracantha, holosericea, lysiophloia, mangium, mearnsii, mollissima, nilotica, nubica, raddiana, saligna, senegal, seyal, spirocarpa, tortilis, and verek. The Ana Tree was not recommended for firewood.

Biotic Factors

Caterpillars, locusts, and grazing animals may destroy the seedlings.

References

FAO Handbooks in Press (FAO, 1982)
1. Taxonomy of Acacia spp.
2.Seed Collection, Handling, Storage and Treatment of Acacia spp.
3. Seed Insects in Acacia spp.
  • FAO. 1980a. 1979. Production yearbook. vol. 33. FAO, Rome.
  • Felker, P. 1981. Uses of tree legumes in semiarid regions. Econ. Bot. 35(2):174–186.
  • Felker, P. 1978. State of the art: Acacia albida as a complementary intercrop with annual crops. USAID Information Services. Washington.
  • Gohl, B. 1981. Tropical feeds. Feed information summaries and nutritive values. FAO Animal Production and Health Series 12. FAO, Rome.
  • Irvine, F.R. 1961. Woody plants of Ghana. Oxford University Press. London.
  • N.A.S. 1980a. Firewood crops. Shrub and tree species for energy production. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • VITA. 1977. Reforestation in arid lands. VITA Publications. Manual Series 37E.
  • Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. 2nd ed. E.&S. Livingstone, Ltd., Edinburgh and London.

Acacia

Acacia is the second largest genus in Australia comprising more than 700 species (Harden 1991; Morrison and Davies 1991) and occurs in almost all habitat types. Species range in size from small shrubs to large trees and are ecologically important as 'pioneer' species where they rapidly establish cover following major natural disturbances such as fire (Christensen et al. 1981). Acacia species are commonly known simply as acacias or as wattles and Acacia pycnantha has been adopted as the Australian national floral emblem. Wattles are frequently grown as ornamentals, some are harvested for timber, while others are a source of gums or bark used in various tanning processes. Like the majority of legumes, acacias utilize rhizobia to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil enabling them to grow in relatively poor soils (Harden 1991).

BOTANY

In Australia there are two commonly accepted schools of thought regarding the taxonomy of legumes (order Fabales) and their treatment varies with institution and state. For example, The Flora of Australia (George, 1981) recognizes three distinct families, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, and Fabaceae while the Flora of New South Wales (Harden 1991) recognizes a single family, Fabaceae (sometimes still referred to as Leguminosae by some workers) with three subfamilies, Faboideae (or Papilionoideae), Caesalpinioideae, and Mimosoideae. There has also been some debate about the placement of Australian wattles in the genus Acacia. Between 1977 and 1989, Pedley of the Queensland herbarium proposed splitting Acacia into several segregate genera supported by findings of workers in France during the late 1960s and 1970s (Pedley 1987). Pedley also proposed the reinstatement of the genus Racosperma for the majority of Australian wattles. To date, this has not been accepted, based on the argument that the name Racosperma was not validly published in 1835 (Hall and Johnson 1993) and the need for further research into the systematics of this large taxon (Maslin 1989).

THE ETHNOBOTANY OF ACACIA IN AUSTRALIA

Wattleseed, an Historical Perspective

Archaeological evidence demonstrates the presence of Aboriginal people in Australia for at least 50000 years (Flood 1990) and during this time there has been considerable change in the spatial distribution of vegetation. This has resulted, not only from a changing climate, but also as a consequence of megaherbivore extinction and Aboriginal burning practices (Flannery 1994). This unnatural, increased fire frequency has favored those species able to cope with such a regime. The proportions of grasses, "pioneer" species, annuals and pyrophilic species have increased compared with fire sensitive taxa (Flannery 1994). Such fire adaptive plants usually produce large quantities of seed and increasing the population size of those plants utilized for their seed will naturally increase the food supply. Aborigines deliberately burnt areas to achieve this aim (Flannery 1994; Latz 1995).

Seeds form a staple food among many indigenous peoples and plants native to Australia are no exception. Of all the plant foods in central Australia, seeds are by far the most important. Seeds are usually high in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and are easily collected, providing a high energy food for the expenditure of relatively small amounts of energy (Latz 1995). Although Australian plants generally produce small seeds they are produced in large quantities. In arid Australia, seed supply is widely available, somewhat predictable and dependable (Flood 1990). These plant products form the dietary staple in that they represent greater than 50% of the total diet and often would constitute 70% to 80%. Hiatt's data compiled from several sources, and describing the proportions of hunting, gathering and fishing performed by various indigenous peoples, lists three central Australian linguistic groups, the Dieri, Arrernte, and Walpiri (Hiatt 1978). In all three cases, 70% of the diet consists of gatherable foods and 30% from hunting. Women are the sole providers of gatherable foods and men the sole hunters and as such, women provide 70% of the total diet of these people in arid Australia. The northern half of the Northern Territory possesses some 40 species of Acacia and although 19 species are useful to Aboriginal people, only one species, A. difficilis has seed that is eaten (Brock 1988). There are other more readily available carbohydrate sources such as yams that require less preparation.

Many grasses provide large amounts of soft seed and have been heavily utilized as a staple food by Aboriginal people, especially throughout arid and semi-arid Australia. The grain was collected, ground to a flour using millstones and water was added to form a paste which was eaten raw or cooked as a damper (unleavened bread) in the ashes. Particular wattle seed was similarly collected, prepared and eaten throughout central Australia. Although these skills still survive (Nganyintja 1985), the use of processed wheat flour has largely replaced these traditional practices (Bryce 1983). These seed grinding practices appear to be a relatively recent technological development. Archaeological excavations in central Australia at Puntutjarpa date the oldest millstones to 3500 years; at Puritjarra they are present for the last 2000 years and at Intirtekwerle, they constitute 10 percent of the artifacts in the last 700 years of deposits. The stratigraphy at two of these sites suggests a massive build-up in the level of the sandplain, the sediments having originated in the Simpson Desert dunefield. This suggests that sites in central Australia older than 5000 years may be deeply buried (Flood 1990). Furthermore, this indicates that Aboriginal people in central Australia have been grinding grass or wattle seed for no more than 4000 years. There are older sites closer to the coast in semi-arid country where the development of such practices became a possibility as a result of the drier climate and in creasing fire frequency. Archaeological evidence from the earliest of these sites, Lake Mungo, in the Willandra Lakes system in western New South Wales, demonstrates the presence of a seed grinding economy over the last 16000 years (Flood 1990).

Of the sixty or so species of Acacia in central Australia, Latz (1995) states that some 50% were, or still are, eaten by Aboriginal people and it is not only the seed which is consumed. Several species exude an edible sugary gum from wounds in the stem or branches which supplies a source of energy. Others are fed upon by insects which themselves secrete an edible substance while species such as A. kempeana are the host for various edible grubs (Kalotas and Goddard 1985) often referred to by non-Aboriginal people as witchetty grubs.

Toxicity

Not all wattleseed was used for food. Many coastal and some arid species contain toxic compounds. A. longifolia is one of the few species recorded as having been eaten in coastal eastern Australia (Kohen 1992), similarly, Acacia georginae seed reportedly contains sodium fluoroacetate the major constituent of 1080, a widely used rodenticide (P. Latz pers. commun.).

A. ligulata, umbrella bush, is a widespread and common semi-arid species. A. Kalotas (pers. comm. 1994) noted that there are mixed reports of the consumption of this seed. During his research near Warburton (eastern Western Australia_approx. 750 km WSW of Alice Springs) with Ngaanyatjara people in 1981-82, this species was recorded as one, the seed of which was commonly consumed. Anecdotal evidence from Yankunytjatjara speakers (approx. 600 km ESE of Warburton), suggests it was a species only eaten when no other seed was available as it caused hair loss, the hair regrowing sometime later (Kalotas 1985). Pintupi people (approx. 400 km north of Warburton) also say it was regularly consumed but said nothing of hair loss (A. Kalotas pers. commun. 1994). It may be that the alopecia (hair loss) resulted from a combination of factors rather than the action of A. ligulata seed alone. If it was consumed amongst the Yankunytjatjara only when other foods were scarce, then malnourishment may have played a role in the loss of hair. The tropical American legume genera, Leucaena and Mimosa, both closely related to Acacia, cause hair loss, when consumed, as a result of the presence of the amino acid, mimosine (Mabberley 1987; Windholz et al. 1983). When Leucaena was first used as a stock feed in northern Australia it caused problems with cattle. This was remedied when a bacterium was isolated from the gut of cattle in Java and introduced into drinking troughs in Australia (A. Kalotas pers. commun. 1994). It is possible that similar toxic compounds are present in Australian acacias and care needs to be taken in the choice of species and their subsequent screening as a part of any development of a new crop. Brand and Maggiore (1991) state that testing for the presence of toxic compounds is mandatory if these plants are to be developed as new food products. Many legume seeds contain a variety of toxic compounds that are usually denatured by the application of heat. These compounds, if untreated, can disrupt intestinal absorption of nutrients and produce growth retardation (Brand and Maggiore 1991).

Non-Food Uses

Although the main use of wattles is as a food source (Goddard 1992; Kalotas and Goddard 1985; Isaacs 1987; Kean 1991; Kohen 1992; Latz 1982,1995; Meggitt 1962; Tindale 1972) they have a number of other uses. These include provision of shelter (Nganyintj a 1985), preparations used as medicine (Anon. 1993), and the manufacture of various tools, musical instruments and weapons (Meggitt 1962; Moyle 1979; Brokensha 1978). Today they are largely used for artifact manufacture (Brokensha 1978) and more recently in various revegetation practices (Last 1990).

Linguistics

Until the mid 1900s, an apparent lack of collaborative research between anthropologists, botanists and zoologists led to difficulties in understanding Aboriginal natural resource use and management. Little traditional ecological knowledge was recorded, but much attention was paid to recording traditional botanical and zoological nomenclature. Anthropologists such as Meggitt (1962) recorded the use of particular plants or animals and the indigenous names for each, but it appears specimens were not collected for accurate identification by botanists or zoologists at a later date. As Aboriginal languages were oral, there was no standard spelling, and so anthropologists and linguists made attempts at recording such names phonetically. Older texts will spell the languages discussed here as "Alyawara" for Alyawerre; "Anmatjarra" and "Anmadjarra" for Anmatyerre; "Aranda" and "Arunta" for Arrernte; "Bindubi" and "Pintubi" for Pintupi; "Bidjandjara", "Pidjandjara", "Pitjandjara" and "Pitjantjara" for Pitjantjatjara; and "Walbiri" for Walpiri, with many other minor variants. There are several sounds for which there are no English equivalents and although spelling standards were established, they were, at times, inadequate and have been revised several times. Pitjantjatjara, for example, has been written since the early 1940s and despite this being a comparatively recent development, there are still inconsistencies in the way some of the sounds are written (Eckert and Hudson 1988). There are various lists of Aboriginal names for plants and animals which do not necessarily match with currently recorded names and so identifying species from these early records is problematic. We have managed to identify wattles that Meggitt (1962) recorded as being used by Walpiri people by cross referencing modern names and taking into account changes in the spelling conventions of linguists during this time (Table 1).

Table 2 indicates the number of species of acacia used as a seed food by particular language groups and, conversely, the number of language groups utilizing each species, in central Australia. There are many names for particular species in common between languages, the main reason being the linguistic affinities represented in the table. The Alyawarre, Anmatyerre and Arrernte languages all belong to the Arandic group while Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara are of the Western Desert group. The Walpiri is a member of the Ngarrkic Group but even so, Walpiri names for Acacia aneura, A. kempeana, A. murrayana, A. stipuligera and A. tetragonophylla are similar to Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara names. The name for A. coriacea, pangkuna or pungkuna, is common amongst all the languages. A. adsurgens and A. stipuligera are very similar in appearance, as are A. pachyacra and A. murrayana, and bear the same Alyawerre and Pitjantjatjara names, respectively. Although A. macdonelliensis is common throughout central Australia, only the Alyawerre used it, while A. maitlandii is widespread but rare and was never used by the Walpiri (Latz 1995). Of the 30 species and languages listed, both the Arandic and Western Desert groups ate 20 species, while the Ngarrkic group ate 21 species. A. aneura, A. coriacea, A. cuthbertsonii, A. estrophiolata, A. kempeana, A. murrayana, A. tetragonophylla and A. victoriae are the most common and more widespread species and are, therefore, the most widely consumed species. A. victoriae is present throughout the entire area, is common and used by all language groups.

THE BUSHFOOD INDUSTRY & CROP POTENTIAL

In recent years, there has been an upsurge of interest in novel food products and in particular those products branded as "bushfoods." Bushfoods can be defined as native plant or animal products used by indigenous Australians as either a traditional or contemporary foodstuff. This interest has led to the widespread use of bushfoods in the restaurant industry both in Australia and overseas. In some instances, these products have become souvenir items, marketed as "uniquely Australian cuisine" or as having been "wild collected by Aboriginal people on their traditional homelands, just as they have done so for thousands of years." Some of these products such as emu are now farmed commercially to meet growing demands.

Wattleseed is in high demand for use as a ground product in pastries and breads and also as a flavoring in desserts, especially ice-cream. It is also used to produce a high quality coffee-like beverage. Wattleseed is one bushfood product collected almost exclusively by Aboriginal people from wild populations throughout its natural range. The species most commonly collected is Acacia victoriae Benth. as it is generally regarded as having a superior flavor. A. victoriae is widespread over much of central Australia and fruits during December and January. Yield is unpredictable and is influenced by climatic conditions and, as such, is extremely variable. Wattleseed is not yet grown on a commercial scale and the demand far exceeds the supply. Despite this, small quantities of wattleseed are exported to the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Japan and SE Asia.

Several species of Acacia indigenous to central Australia are planted to revegetate or rehabilitate degraded land predominantly on Aboriginal communities throughout central Australia. Species commonly used throughout Pitjantjatjara Lands include A. victoriae, A. murrayana and A. kempeana (pers. obs. 1995). These are relatively fast growing species adapted to low rainfall and extreme temperatures and are planted to provide windbreaks, reduce erosion and to revegetate damaged sites. As the plants reach maturity they are often used for other purposes such as firewood or artifact manufacture (Last 1990) but less commonly for food. Edible grubs (maku) are extracted from the roots of A. kempeana at any opportunity but seed is not usually collected for food (M. Last pers. commun. 1995). These plants have potential as an informal crop, in that they possess a variety of uses which could form an additional source of seed for the bushfoods industry.

Nutritional Analysis

Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fiber and 9% fat (Brand and Maggiore 1992). The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated which is a distinct health advantage although it presents storage problems as such fats readily oxidize (Brand and Maggiore 1992). The mean total carbohydrate content of 55.8±13.7% is lower than that of lentils, but higher than that of soybeans while the mean fiber content of 32.3±14.3% is higher than that of other legumes such as lentils with a level of 11.7% (Brand and Maggiore 1992). The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480±270 kJ per 100 g. Wattle seeds are low glycaemic index foods. The starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise (Brand and Maggiore 1992).

Research at UWSH

The research at UWS-Hawkesbury is centered upon two species, Acacia victoriae and A. murrayana F. Muell ex Benth. The main aim is to develop quality plants with higher and more consistent yields and with an ease of cultivation that will allow Aboriginal people in arid areas to cultivate, harvest, process and market wattleseed to the world. In addition to this, we are seeking to gain an understanding of the agronomy of these plants through greenhouse and field trials.

A. murrayana is being studied as it has a very different growth habit to A. victoriae. Unlike A. victoriae, it is a spineless species which is a distinct advantage when harvesting seed by hand. In addition, it has potential for soil stabilization and land rehabilitation projects as it is a species capable of regeneration from its roots. This means it can regenerate vegetatively following fire or clearing. The possibility also exists that if crop yields fall due to senescence, the plants could be cut back to ground level without disturbing the soil and the subsequent regrowth should retain the growth and yield characteristics for which it was originally selected.

Work thus far has been aimed primarily at establishing field trials to examine the variation within these plants and the plants' responses to irrigation and fertilizers. Experiments to determine how the plants respond to nitrogen and potassium fertilization and rhizobial innoculation are also in progress.

There are two field trials planted on campus with another to be located at Umuwa in the Musgrave Ranges of northern South Australia. A visit was made to Umuwa in April 1995 to select a site for planting in collaboration with the Pitjantjatjara community.

Studies concerning floral and fruit development and also pollination are planned. Genetic analysis will be performed as part of the examination of variation within these species.

CONCLUSION

Acacia seed in Australia was, and in some areas still is, used as a food source by Aboriginal people. It is now popular with the emergence of the bush foods industry as a new product with a variety of culinary applications. Wild populations are harvested for their seed, but the plants have potential as a commercial crop. It is hoped that the production of seed for food use is adopted by Aboriginal communities. Roasted Acacia seeds offer an exciting new flavor for pastries and ice-creams and a caffeine free beverage.

REFERENCES

  • Aboriginal Communities of the Northern Territory. 1993. Traditional Aboriginal medicines in the Northern Territory of Australia. Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory of Australia, Darwin.

  • Brand, J and P. Maggiore. 1992. The nutritional composition of Australian Acacia seeds. In: A.P.N. House and C.E. Harwood (eds.), Australian Dry-zone Acacias for Human Food Proceedings of a workshop held at Glen Helen, Northern Territory, 7-10 Aug. 1991, CSIRO Division of Forestry & Australian Tree Seed Centre, Canberra.

  • Brock, J. 1988. Top End native plants. A comprehensive guide to the trees and shrubs of the Top End of the Northern Territory, John Brock Publ., Darwin.

  • Brokensha, P. 1978. The Pitjantjatjara and their crafts. Aboriginal Arts Board Australia Council, Sydney.

  • Bryce, S. 1983. The role of bush tucker in nutrition education. In: O'Dea, K. (ed.), Proc. Aboriginal Bushfoods Workshop. p. 20-23.

  • Christensen, P., H. Recher, and J. Hoare. 1991. Responses of open forests (dry sclerophyll forests) to fire regimes. p. 367-393. In: A.M. Gill, R.H. Groves, and I.R. Noble. (eds.), Fire and the Australian Biota. Australian Academy of Science, Canberra.

  • Eckert, P. and J. Hudson. 1988. Wangka Wiru: A handbook for the Pitjantjatjara language learner. Univ. of South Australia, Adelaide.

  • Flannery, T.F. 1994. The future eaters: an ecological history of the Australasian lands and people. Reed Books, NSW, Australia.

  • Flood, J. 1990. The riches of ancient Australia. University of Queensland Press, Queensland.

  • George, A.S. (ed.), 1981. Flora of Australia Volume 1, Introduction. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

  • Goddard, C. 1992. Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara to English Dictionary. Institute for Aboriginal Development, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.

  • Hall, N. and L.A.S. Johnson. 1993. The names of acacias of New South Wales with a guide to pronunciation of botanical names. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Australia.

  • Harden, G.J. (ed.). 1991. Flora of New South Wales, Vol. 2. New South Wales Univ. Press, NSW, Australia.

  • Hiatt, B. 1978. Woman the gatherer. In: F. Gale, Woman's role in Aboriginal society (ed.), Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra.

  • Isaacs, J. 1987. Bush food. Aboriginal food and herbal medicine. Weldons, Sydney, Australia.

  • Kalotas, A. and C. Goddard. 1985. Punu, Yankunytjatjara plant use. Institute for Aboriginal Development, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.

  • Kean, J. 1991. Aboriginal-acacia relationships in central Australia. Records of the South Australian Museum, 24(2):111-124.

  • Kohen, J.L. and A.J. Downing. 1992. Aboriginal use of plants on the western Cumberland Plain. Sydney Basin Naturalist, No. 1, p. 1-8. Australasian Naturalist Pub., Sydney, Australia.

  • Latz, P.K. 1982. Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aborigines and Plants in Central Australia. MA (Hons) thesis, Univ. of New England, NSW.

  • Latz, P.K. 1995. Bushfires and bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in Central Australia. IAD Press, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.

  • Mabberley, D.J. 1987. The plant-book. A portable dictionary of the higher plants. Cambridge Univ., Cambridge.

  • Meggitt, M.J. 1962. Desert people: A study of the Walbiri Aborigines of Central Australia. Angus and Robertson Publishers, Australia.

  • Morrison, D.A. and S.J. Davies. 1991. Acacia. p. 327-328. In: G.J. Harden, (ed.), Flora of New South Wales, vol. 2. New South Wales Univ. Press, Australia.

  • Moyle, R.M. 1979. Songs of the Pintupi: Musical life in a central Australian society. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra.

  • Nganyintja. 1985. Mayi Wiru, Part 1, Winter foods. Angatja Video in association with Riverbed Productions, South Australia.

  • Pedley, L. 1987. Generic status of Acacia sensu lato, Australian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter, 53(Dec. 1987):87-91.

  • Tindale, N.B. 1972. The Pitjandjara. p. 217-268. In: M.G. Bicchieri (ed.), Hunters and gatherers today. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, London.

  • Windholz, M., S. Budavari, R.F. Blumetti, and E.S. Otterbein (eds.). 1983. The Merck index. An encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs and biologicals. 10th ed. Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ.

*Funding to establish the trial at Umuwa has been made available from a grant by the University of Technology Sydney-Jumbunna Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies, Education and Research for which we are most grateful.
Table 1. Aboriginal names given to Acacia species used by the Walpiri as listed by Meggitt (1962) with nomenclatural additions and corrections (Latz 1995). Species names in bold are those identified and/or corrected by the authors. One species remains unidentified and the identity of Meggitt's "waralga" as A. ligulata is uncertain.


Aboriginal names
Acacia species Former spellingz Current spellingy Usesz
ancistrocarpa birauru pirraru No use recorded
aneura mandja manja Edible seeds; wood for implements
coriacea bangguna pangkuna Edible seeds; wood for implements
dictyophleba bilbirinba pilpirrinpa Leaves used medicinally
estrophiolata jadanbi yajarnpi Wood for implements and sacred objects
farnesiana budunari putunarri No use recorded
kempeana ngalgiri ngalkirdi Edible seeds; trunk harbours witchetty grubs
notabilis syn. pruinocarpax mandala marntarla Edible seeds, gum; wood for implements
dictyophleba badudu patutu Wood for spear shafts
unidentified bilingarba
No use recorded
adsurgens budjubanda puju-parnta Edible seeds
cowleana ganalarambi kanarlarrampi Wood for spear shafts
aff. aneurax jabiljaru yapilyardu Trunk harbours witchetty grubs
adsurgens or tenuissima minjana minyana Edible seeds; wood for implements
ligulata? waralga wardarrka? No use recorded
spondylophylla bundalji puntaltji Trunk harbours witchetty grubs
tetragonophylla gurara kurara Edible seeds
victoriae ganabargu kanaparlku No use recorded
zMeggitt 1962.
yLatz 1982, 1985.
xNomenclature based on Latz 1995.


Table 2. Acacia species traditionally used as edible seed by various central desert linguistic groups and their traditional names. The names are given only where the species was used for food as determined by Latz (1982, 1995); Goddard (1992); Kalotas and Goddard (1985); Meggitt (1962) and Tindale (1972). The lack of use of an otherwise edible species can be due to the absence of that species within that particular linguistic area and does not necessarily suggest the species was regarded as inedible, toxic or of inferior quality. NIA indicates the species is not in the area. Alternative spellings for Alyawarre (Alyawerr), Anmatyerre (Anmatyerr) and Arrernte words are included for the benefit of readers with limited access to recent Australian linguistic works.


Aboriginal linguistic group
Acacia species Alyawarre Anmatyerre Arrernte Arrernte (southern) Pintupi Pitjantjatjara Walpiri
acradenia ampwey mpwiya
NIA NIA NIA NIA ngardurrkura ngarulkurra
adsurgens ilkirta ilkert ilwerreny alirrinya atiyipinha ateyepenh ilwerreny lirrinytja NIA NIA NIA NIA minyana puju-parnta mintirlpiri kulaki
ammobia (syn. doratoxylon) NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA utjalpara NIA
ancistrocarpa





wartarurru pirraru
aff. aneura

ititja-
lililiyi
yarlpiyardu
(?syn. aneura var. latifolia)

ilpatjata irtetye-irlpelharte
aneura (syn. brachystachya) artitja artety artitja artety ititja irtetye manytja
wanari manytja kurrku mantja wanari kurku kalpilya puyukara wintalyka yulnantji? wartiji manja wanajiti
colei (syn. holosericea) alerrey aliriya alyari alkart alkarta NIA NIA kuna-kuna? kilkiti kuna-kuna? kalkardi
coriacea awenth ntjirrima akiyrlpirra awenth ntjirrima pungkuna
irrkili yirrkili pangkuna kunapuka mulupuka pangkuna kunarnturu wakirlpirri
cowleana aliriya alerrey alkarta alkart NIA NIA kilkiti NIA kanarlarrampi kalkardi parrapi
cuthbertsonii alhanker irley pirley pilhi perley ulyuya lywey

yalpirri piliyi alpiri kalirma pirliyi
dictyophleba ulupula ulunkurra alhanker alhepalh ulkurnarra lkwernarr paturta partwert
ilpakilparra ilpakilparre minytju mulyati yurrtjanpa utjanypa mintju ngarkalya wurpardi yinjirtingu yurrpardi pilpirrinpa patutu matutu marlarntarrpa
estrophiolata athiyimpa athimp athinga atheng tjarnpa tywarnpe atjarnpa atyarnp athenga tunga tjwarnpa tywarnpe
walakarri utjanypa tjau walirri yajarnpi wajarnpi ajarnpa
hemignosta NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA mirrirn-mirrirnpa? luwiluwilta
inaequalatera (syn.pyrifolia) NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA janjirnngi janjinki
jennerae NIA lalkirrika lalkerrek NIA NIA NIA NIA walalyirrki
kempeana atnyima atnyem utnyima atnyem tnyima tnyeme
yilykuwarra ilykuwarra iripili piyanpa ilykuwara ngarlkirdi yiripili
ligulata


nyukurrka? watarka watarrka







lysiphloia awurrnga awernng NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA murlurrpa
macdonelliensis irrara irrar
maitlandii (syn. patens)

ilupa-lupa lwepe-lwepe
murrayana (syn.frumentacea) arrilya arrely arrilya arrely irrilya irrelye
nyurrinpa tjuntala tjuntjula juntala
olgana




kaliwara NIA
oswaldii




wilpiya waltari
pachyacra




tjuntala
pruinocarpa (syn. notabilis) NIA NIA


itawara
ramulosa NIA NIA NIA NIA NIA pakuta palpa NIA
stipuligera mpwiya ampwey NIA NIA NIA tjilpirinpa tjirrpirinypa wilpurra NIA jirrpirinypa kurapuka wirlpurpa ngirnti-yirrpi
tenuissima antjulinya antywerleny artepwel antjulinya antywerleny NIA NIA
NIA minyana kuwiyangayi watiyawarnu kulaki nyintirriyilpi watiyawarnu
tetragonophylla alkitjirra arlketyerr alkitjirra arlketyerr ilkitjirra arlketyerre
wakalpuka wakalpuka kurara kurungantiri kurarra
victoriae arlupa arlep arlupa arlep tupurla urlupa urlepe tuperle pulkuru aliti ngatunpa kanaparlku yalupu yarlirti


Last update June 6, 1997 aw