Cutch Tree (Khadira)

Cutch tree is a thorny deciduous tree of the legume family, growing up to fifteen metres, with feathery bipinnate leaves, spikes of pale yellow flowers and flat brown pods. Its dark red heartwood yields the extract called catechu or kattha. It grows in dry forests across India, including Kerala.

The heartwood is used. Ayurveda calls it Khadira and values it in skin care and oral care preparations, as in Khadirarishta and tooth powders. Kattha is also used in betel leaf preparations.