The Shikakai, Acacia concinna is a thorny shrub, whose fruits are used to make a natural shampoo in India. The brown fruit which is called Shikakai or Soapnut is dried and powdered . This powder is used to wash oiled hair. Hair glows with a sheen after using this shampoo.
Shikakai is mild, but it can remove oil as well as a detergent. People use it to clean oil lamps and oily vessels too.
This acacia is a host plant for the Common Laskar butterfly.
