Acacia dealbata Link. (Silver Wattle), an invasive species growing in high altitudes of the Himalaya

• Published in: Current science (Bangalore) Vol. 103; no. 2; p. 130
• Main Authors: Bhat, Jahangeer A., Kumar, Munesh, Negi, Ajeet K., Todaria, N. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Current Science Association 25.07.2012
• Subjects: Acacia; CORRESPONDENCE; Invasive species; Plants; Species; Wattles; Africa
• ISSN: 0011-3891

Acacia dealbata is native to Australia. The genus Acacia (wattles) belongs to the family Mimosaceae. There are almost 1,380 species of Acacia found throughout the world and close to 1,000 of these are found in Australia as well as 144 species in the African region (including Madagascar), 89 species in Asia and about 185 species in North and South America super(1). In India, there are about 22 indigenous species of Acacia, distributed throughout the plains. However, all species that yield wattle are exotic and have been introduced from Australia. It is presumed that it was introduced in the Nilgiris in 1840, where it became naturalized and it has also been planted in the Himalaya (Shimla, Nainital and Almora hills). Several workers have reported and deposited specimens of A. dealbata in BSI Dehradun, e.g. M. A. Rau (BSD 17172) in 1961 reported it from Bhawoli (Kumaon), G. G. Malhotra (BSD 59247) in 1963 from Nagnath (Garhwal), T. A. Rao (BSD 1957) in 1957 from Kalmatia (Kumaon), P. C. Pant (BSD 17173) in 1961 from Ranikhet (Kumaon), U. C. Bhattacharya (BSD 35309) in 1964 from Deolsari (Tehri-Garhwal), A. A. Ansari (BSD 15994) in 1980 from Candoli (Pauri-Garhwal), G. N. Madhuwal (BSD 69404) in 1976 from Nagdev garden (Pauri-Garhwal) and R. D. Gaur (GUH 16206) in 1999 from Naugoankhal (Pauri-Garhwal). We found A. dealbata in the interior Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of 2,200 m between 30 degree 36'54"N lat, and 79 degree 11'59"E long. The voucher specimen of the plant species was collected and deposited in the Garhwal University Herbarium (GUH) with accession number JAB-GUH-20576. Till date there is no report of this species from this largest protected area as well as from such high elevations of Garhwal Himalaya.