A History of Agriculture in India v1.c10.s2.6

v1.c10.s2.6

The trees found in the xerophytic forests of Rajasthan are those with reduced leaf surface or with fleshy leaves. Various species of *Acacia* and *Prosopis*, the commonest being *Acacia nilotica* (*A. arabica*) and *A. leucophloea*, are associated with *Prosopis cineraria* (*P. spicigera*) and the exotic *P. chilensis* (*P. juliflora*). *Acacia catechu* is found in considerable numbers in Kutch. In the southern Aravallis, *Anogeissus pendula* occurs in fairly homogeneous patches. Other typical species are *Salvadora oleoides*, *Tamarix aphylla* (*T. articulata*), *Ziziphus mauritiana* (*Z. jujuba*), *Grewia tenax* (*G. populifolia*) and *Ehretia laevis*. The undergrowth consists of *Capparis decidua* (*C. aphylla*), *C. spinosa*, *Asclepias* and *Calotropis*, with the fleshy *Suaeda* and *Salsola* growing on saline soils, and *Calligonum polygonoides* on sandy soils. *Euphorbia nivulia*, with a thorny stem, is also very characteristic at the foot of dry mountains.