Banni Tree

March 2023

Botanical name: Acacia ferruginea, Senegalia ferruginea.

Common names: Rusty Acacia, Kaigar, Kalgar, Kingore, Safed khair, Banni Mara, and kiri banni.

Banni, commonly known as Rusty Acacia, is a medium-sized deciduous tree that is native to India and Pakistan. This tree species is well-known for its hardiness and ability to tolerate harsh growing conditions such as drought, which makes it a popular choice for afforestation and reforestation programs. In addition to its ornamental value, the Banni tree has a range of practical uses, such as fuelwood, fodder, and timber. The bark and leaves of the tree also have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the characteristics, uses, and benefits of Acacia ferruginea and explore how this hardy tree species can be an asset in sustainable development and environmental conservation efforts.

Banni is native to the Indian subcontinent and Pakistan. It is found in a wide range of habitats, including dry deciduous forests, scrublands, rocky hills, and arid regions. It is commonly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh in India and in Sindh and Punjab in Pakistan. In its native range, Banni is an important component of the local flora and plays an important role in the ecosystem, providing food and habitat for a range of wildlife, including birds, insects, and mammals.

Banni

Plant description of Banni tree:

Banni tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall. It has a dense, spreading canopy with a rounded or umbrella-like shape. The bark of the tree is rough and deeply furrowed, with a rust-colored or reddish-brown appearance. The leaves are bipinnate, meaning they are divided into smaller leaflets, with 2-4 pairs of pinnae and 10-20 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are small, oblong, or elliptical in shape and have a feathery, fern-like appearance.

Banni produces small, pale yellow or cream-colored flowers in spherical clusters that bloom from February to May. The flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. The fruit of the tree is a pod, which is flat and elongated and contains small seeds. The pods turn from green to brown as they mature and eventually split open to release the seeds.

The wood of the Banni tree is hard, dense, and durable and is used for a variety of purposes, including furniture, construction, and tool handles. The bark and leaves of the tree have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as fever, diarrhea, and skin diseases.

Uses of Banni tree

Banni is a useful tree species that has a range of practical uses. Some of the common uses of the Banni tree are:

1. Fuelwood:

The wood of Banni is hard, dense, and burns slowly, making it a valuable source of fuelwood.

2. Timber:

The wood of the Banni tree is also used for construction, furniture, and tool handles due to its durability and strength.

3. Fodder:

The leaves and pods of the Banni tree are an important source of fodder for livestock during the dry season when other vegetation is scarce.

4. Soil improvement:

The deep roots of the Banni tree help to improve soil structure and fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil.

5. Traditional medicine:

The bark and leaves of Banni have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine to treat a range of ailments such as fever, diarrhea, and skin diseases.

6. Afforestation and reforestation:

Banni is a hardy tree species that can tolerate harsh growing conditions such as drought, making it a popular choice for afforestation and reforestation programs in arid and semi-arid regions.

7. Ornamental purposes:

The attractive foliage and flowers of Banni make it a popular ornamental tree in gardens and parks.

Medicinal uses of Banni tree

Banni has a range of medicinal properties, and the bark and leaves of the tree have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Some of the medicinal uses of the Banni tree are:

1. Fever:

The bark of Banni is used to treat fever. The bark is boiled in water, and the decoction is consumed to bring down the fever.

2. Diarrhea:

The bark of Banni is also used to treat diarrhea. The bark is boiled in water, and the decoction is consumed to relieve diarrhea.

3. Skin diseases:

The leaves of Banni are used to treat skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis. The leaves are ground into a paste and applied topically to the affected area.

4. Wounds and burns:

The leaves of Banni are also used to treat wounds and burns. The leaves are crushed and applied topically to the affected area to promote healing.

5. Respiratory problems:

The bark of Banni is used to treat respiratory problems such as cough and bronchitis. The bark is boiled in water, and the decoction is consumed to relieve respiratory problems.

6. Eye problems:

The leaves of Banni are used to treat eye problems such as conjunctivitis and redness. The leaves are boiled in water, and the decoction is used as an eyewash.

It is important to note that while Banni has been traditionally used in medicine, it is always best to consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any medicinal plant for treatment.