Акація

Vachellia farnesiana, also known as Acacia farnesiana and previously as Mimosa farnesiana, is a species of shrub or small tree in the legume family, Fabaceae. Its flowers are used in the perfume industry.

The tree

Growing from multiple trunks, the tree reaches a height of 4.6-9.1 metres (15-30 feet). The base of each leaf is accompanied by a pair of thorns on the branch. The bark is whitish gray, and the dark brown fruit is a seed pod. The name huisache of Mexico and Texas is derived from Nahuatl and means "many thorns". In Australia the plant is called needle bush because of the many thorns along its branches. Acacia farnesiana originated in the northern part of tropical America. It is the most widely distributed Acacia species, introduced to all tropical and subtropical regions of the world for its fragrant flowers. In Malesia it was first introduced to the Philippines from Mexico by the Spaniards, and it is now recorded throughout South-East Asia. Flowering starts about 3 years after planting, and plants reach full production at 5-6 years of age. In Malesia the tree flowers throughout the year, and in Central America from November to April. It coppices well and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.

Composition

The main volatile components of the absolute from concrete are methyl salicylate, anisaldehyde, geraniol (and derivatives) and benzaldehyde. The characteristic fragrance of cassie absolute is attributed to 3 minor components: 3-methyldec-3-en-1-ol, 3-methyldec-4-en-1-ol and 3-methyldec-4-enoic acid.

Sourcing and production

Industrial production of cassie flower for perfume started near Cannes in south-eastern France and is still concentrated in that area, with smaller numbers of trees along the neighbouring Italian coast and in Northern Africa. In France the trees flower in September and October. Flowers are picked 1-3 times per week depending on the location and the temperature and only when they are dry. Trestles are used for picking because the branches are brittle and easily damaged. Young trees yield 0.5-1 kg of flowers a year, and well-managed, large, selected trees may yield 6-10 kg per year. Yields of up to 1500 kg of flowers per hectare have been reported. Annual production of cassie absolute from concrete is in the order of 100 kg only. In 1998 the world market price of the absolute was several thousand US$ per kg. Cassie absolute from pomade is a dark green or olive green, very viscous liquid. Cassie pomade, known as attar of cassie, is produced in India for the local market only. Because production costs in France are high, cultivation for the perfume industry in other countries, including South-East Asia, has been proposed for investigation.

Varieties and other products of the tree

Two varieties are distinguished on leaf and pod characters: var. farnesiana and var. guanacastensis, the latter found from Mexico to Costa Rica. Several cultivars have been developed in France. Cavenia, grown in southern France, tolerates drought and frost well, but its oil is of secondary quality. Semperflorens is vigorous and tall, needs more care, nutrients and irrigation, and gives two harvests of flowers per year. The wood is brownish-yellow, heavy, hard, close-grained and durable, with a distinctive, somewhat unpleasant smell. The bark has a high tannin content of 30-40%, and the tree exudes a gum that is sometimes collected. Flowering branches are sold as cut flowers and are known in commerce as cassie flowers.