Acacia

Acacia a type of plant belonging to the family Fabaceae and the subfamily Mimosoideae with over 1300 different species worldwide, however, 960 of these species are native to Australia. Acacia is also known as thorntrees, whistling thorns, or wattles and according to The Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was made from Acacia wood. The different species of acacia trees has a number of different uses, in Burma, Laos, and Thailand the shoots of the tree are used in soups, curries, omelettes, and stir-fries. When bees use the acacia flower to make honey the honey gains a special glass like appearance, soft running texture and mild flowery taste that is considered a delicacy.

 

In Mexico the seeds, locally known as Guajes, are either eaten raw together with guacamole, or cooked and turned into a sauce. Acacia is also listed as an ingredient in a variety of different products such as Altoids, Läkerol, Wrigleys eclipse chewing gum, Barqs root beer and others. The tree also plays an important role in traditional medicine from India, where one type of tree is supposed to help against premature ejaculation and rabies depending on what part of the tree is prepared and consumed.

 

Some species are used as ornamentals in gardens and others are valuable for their timber which can be used to make furniture and fragrant ornaments. The Arbre du Ténéré in Niger is considered the most famous acacia tree in the world, it is famous because it is further than 400 kilometres away from any other tree and therefore the most isolated tree in the world. However, the tree was knocked down by a truck driver in 1973.