Senegalia modesta (commonly called phulai[2] in Pakistan, phalāhīਫਲਾਹੀپھلاہی (Punjabi) in India) is a species of plant commonly found[3] in Pakistan, India[4] and Afghanistan. S. modesta[5] is a perennial[6] tree and formerly, it was classified as Acacia modesta.[2] The plant is drought tolerant.[7]S. modesta`s tree grow in medium size (3 to almost 5 meters)[8] deciduous form with rough surfaced, brown or greenish grey bark, leaflets as (3-5 pairs), cream colored inflorescence (in April–May or July–August) in the form of pedunculate spike, pods as stipitate having 3-5 seeds inside.[9]
In August, 2018 thousands of phulai trees were planted during the two-day tree plantation for reforestation[3] campaign in Kingyar Gali, District Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.[10]
The tree produces a gum in the form of pale yellow small tears of mucilage.[11][12] This gum (also called gum arabic) is used for emulsification and stabilizing agent in food, cosmetic, textile and pharmaceutical industries.[13] The hard wood of tree is also source of fuel.[14]