❖ Common name- Australian Kikar

❖ Scientific name- Acacia auriculiformis

❖ Classification-

Kingdom- Plantae

Family- Fabaceae

Order- Fabales

❖ Mode of propagation-

Acacia auriculiformis, commonly known as auri, earleaf acacia, or northern black wattle, is a fast growing tree native to Australia and Southeast Asia. It can be propagated through various methods, including: Seeds: Acacia auriculiformis produces seeds that can be collected and sown directly in the soil. It is important to scarify the seeds (break or scratch the seed coat) before planting to enhance germination. This can be done by soaking the seeds in hot water or manually nicking the seed coat. Cuttings: Propagation through stem cuttings is also possible. Select healthy and disease-free stems, cut them into sections, and plant them in a suitable rooting medium. Rooting hormones may be used to encourage the development of roots.Air Layering: This method involves inducing roots to form on a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant. A portion of the stem is wounded, treated with rooting hormone, and then covered with a moist medium until roots develop. Once roots are established, the separated section can be planted as an independent tree.Grafting: Though less common, grafting can be used to propagate specific varieties of Acacia auriculiformis. This involves joining a stem (scion) from the desired tree onto the rootstock of another tree. Grafting is typically done during the growing season. Tissue Culture: In a controlled laboratory environment, plant tissue culture techniques can be employed to produce large numbers of genetically identical plants from a small piece of plant tissue.

❖ Uses-

This plant is raised as an ornamental plant, as a shade tree and it is also raised on plantations for fuelwood throughout southeast Asia, Oceania and in Sudan. Its wood is good for making paper, furniture and tools. It contains tannin useful in animal hide tanning. In India, its wood and charcoal are widely used for fuel. Gum from the tree is sold commercially, but it is said not to be as useful as gum arabic. In Thailand the small fresh leaves are eaten, often with nam prik chili sauce or papaya salad. The tree is used to make an analgesic by indigenous Australians. Extracts of Acacia auriculiformis heartwood inhibit fungi that attack wood. Aquous extracts of A. auriculiformis show developmental inhibitory effects on Bactrocera cucurbitae (the melon fly).