Question

Commercial 'cutch' is obtained from the heart wood of

• A. Acacia senegal
• B. Acacia catechu
• C. Acacia arabica
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Acacia catechu

The Acacia catechu is also known as 'cutch tree'. This herb was previously known as kat or cacho. This tree was a very important export product that was sent from India to China, Persia and Arabia in the early 16th century particularly.

This plant was used majorly for the purpose of dyeing and tanning. Japan takes the credit of introducing this plant to countries in Europe in the 17th Century. The tree of Acacia catechu is found all throughout India. The main areas for its habitat in the country are the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats and the Himalayan tracts.

The flowers of the plant are pale yellow in colour and have cylindrical spikes. The flattened and glabrous fruit of the plant have oblong pods. The sapwood of Acacia catechu is whitish yellow in colour.

The extract (commercial 'cutch') of the heart wood is cooled in moulds and the dried mass is broken into shinny jagged pieces for various uses.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.