Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but disagreement in the way this should be done. The latest decision (in 2011 and still not fully accepted) is that this species is transferred to Acaciella[
Acacia curassavica (Britton & Killip) Stehlé
Acacia glauca (L.) Moench
Acacia villosa (Sw.) Willd.
Acaciella curassavica Britton & Killip
Acaciella villosa (Sw.) Britton & Rose
Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth.
Mimosa glauca L.
Mimosa villosa Sw.
Common Name: Amourette
Amourette is an open crowned, erect, unarmed shrub or small tree, growing 1 - 3 metres tall with occasional specimens to 5 metres[
The tree has been planted for the rehabilitation of degraded lands in Indonesia, it is a source of wood and is also used medicinally[
]. The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental[
When the plant is fed to grazing animals it can cause their hair to fall out[
Southern Central America to the Caribbean.
Secondary vegetation, especially on limestone, but also on non-calcareous soils[
|Other Uses Rating||
|Cultivation Status||Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild
A plant of low to moderate elevations in the tropics. It prefers dry climates and can even grow in areas with rainfall as low as 200 - 500mm per year[
]. Optimum annual rainfall is around 1,200mm in Indonesia, where it can succeed at elevations up to 1,200 metres[
]. It performs poorly under low temperature and does not tolerate frost[
Thrives on limestone and various other soil types[
]. Requires a sunny position[
]. Succeeds in very poor soils[
Often grown as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become established in the wild in many areas, In the Cook Islands, for example, it is classified as 'Invasive'[
], whilst in Guam it can form thickets in abandoned clearings[
Flowering and fruiting may start as early as 6 months and flowering occurs throughout the year[
The plant tolerates heavy pruning[
The plant extends itself by root suckers from the comparatively superficial root system. It can reach a height of about 3 metres and diameter of 3 cm in 13 months[
]. Growth is robust in the juvenile phase, it is often even stronger than in Leucaena leucocephala, but loses this advantage after 6 months[
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
An infusion of the roots or leaves in vinegar and of the bark in water is used as a gargle to relieve sore throat and alleviate oral inflammations[
A decoction of peeled branches with vinegar is taken as a cough remedy[
The plant is often used to rehabilitate degraded and denuded lands and is planted to stabilize terrace ridges[
It performs very well on poor soils and, in view of its unpalatability to livestock, its use as an alternative to Leucaenia leucocephala as a shrub legume to improve the soil deserves wider attention[
]. It was originally planted as an undershrub in teak plantations in Indonesia[
Fairly large branches root easily when stuck into the ground; the plant is not readily eaten by grazing animals; and it is tolerant of even heavy pruning - it is often used to make hedges in tropical areas of the world[
The wood is used for making household tools[
The wood is suitable for fuel[
The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
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