Overview of an introduced species, Tara cacalaco (Bonpl.) Molinari & Sánchez Och. (Leguminosae) in India: With a brief review on its utility and phytochemistry

Abstract

Tara cacalaco (Bonpl.) Molinari & Sánchez Och., native to Mexico, was introduced as an ornamental plant at India in the AJCB Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, West Bengal, in 1845. The present work highlights the distribution of the species in the botanical garden of the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, as an ornamental plant. Given that this species is poorly known in India, a detailed description is provided, along with other taxonomic information, line drawings, and colored photographs to facilitate its easy identification. In its native Mexico, the wood and pods of this species are highly utilized for dyeing or carpentry. Additionally, a brief overview of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the species is discussed.