[Sca-cooks] for the botanists-

[Terry Decker]

Common names bite again.

The acacias are genus Acacia.  The mimosas are genus Mimosa.  There is a
yellow flowered acacia which is sold under the common name mimosa, but is
not one.  The silk tree, Albizzia julibrissan, is also referred to as a
mimosa.

Mimosas and acacias are mostly sub-tropical and tropical origin, so I
question their natural occurance in Poitou, but I wouldn't absolutely say
nay without deeper research.  There is a possibility of their introduction
during and after Roman times, although I find no reference in Pliny or other
later sources.

The acacias are best known for lac, catechu, and gum arabic among other
products.

Bear


>Ok, I've been looking up 'acacia', and 'mimosa' on-line. Some of the sites
>say they are the same, some of them say they are different. Some of tehm
>are very adamant one way or the other.
>
>I'm researching Poitou, and I have come across both names. So what is
>growing in Poitou? Either? Both?
>
>'Lainie