Acacia Catechu Seeds

Acacia catechu, also known as Cutch tree, is a deciduous, moderate-sized tree, growing up to a height of 15 m rarely with a light feathery crown. The tree is found across India in dry mixed forests, generally as a small tree, up to a height of 3 m. The bark is dark, grayish brown, exfoliating in long, narrow strips, and the leaves are pinnate, with a pair of inwardly-curved prickles at the base of the rachis. Acacia catechu flowers measure about 2.5 - 3mm in length, are pale-yellow or white in color, and are in 5-10cm long, cylindrical spikes. The brown colored pods are glabrous, oblong and flattened, measure about 50-125mm in length, and contain 4-7 seeds. Acacia catechu seeds are flat, dark brown and measure 5-8 mm in diameter. The seeds are edible and the extract of its heartwood is an important ingredient of the traditional Indian 'Paan'. The extract is also useful in the treatment of many medical conditions in the Ayurveda.