Khair or Catechu can grow to 50 feet in height.
The seeds are a good source of protein and the extract of its heartwood is used as a food additive, astringent, tannin and as a dye.
In Holi celebrations, people smear each other with coloured powders to celebrate the arrival of spring. The extract from this tree can be mixed with water to get a brown coloured powder. Dried tea leaves and coffee powder can also be added to get a dark brown powder.