10 - Wattle

Abstract

All species that yield wattle are exotic and are introduced from Australia. Wattle belongs to Acacia (Family: Fabaceae), a large genus composed of more than 500 species found in the warmer and drier parts of the world, mainly Australia and Africa. Species with pinnately compound leaves are found throughout the tropics, and the phyllodineous ones are natives of Australia. In India, there are about 22 indigenous species, distributed throughout the plains. Wattle bark as a tanning material appears to have entered the European market in 1908, and its exceptional merits were immediately recognized by the tanning industries in England and continental Europe. It contains astringent catechol tannin and lends itself particularly to sole leather manufacture, but it can also be used very successfully for light leather. Wattle leather is firm and durable. Although classified as a rapid tanning material, the leather is much less red than that obtained from many other catechol tans. This chapter presents four different kinds of wattle namely black wattle, green wattle, silver, and gold wattle. The chapter also presents the growing conditions required for wattle production and briefs on its natural regeneration, rotation, and utility. It also discusses the pests and diseases associated with Wattle production.