Scientific Name
Acacia melanoxylon R.Br.
Common Names
Australian Blackwood, Black Acacia, Sally Wattle, Lightwood, Hickory, Mudgerabah, Tasmanian Blackwood, Black Wattle, Blackwood Acacia
Synonyms
Acacia arcuata, Acacia melanoxylum, Mimosa melanoxylon, Mimosa melanoxylum, Racosperma melanoxylon, Racosperma melanoxylon
Scientific Classification
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Tribe: Acacieae
Genus: Acacia
Flower
Color: Creamy
Bloom Time: From late winter into spring
Description
Acacia melanoxylon is a very quick-growing tree with rough, dark gray bark with vertical fissures, and mid-green leaf-like flattened stems, called "phyllodes." It grows up to 40 feet (12 m) tall and up to 20 feet (6 m) wide and in maturity has an oval-shaped crown. The phyllodes are up to 5 inches (13 cm) long and about an inch (2.5 cm) wide, with one margin straight and the other curved. Small creamy flowers appear in a small ball-like cluster from late winter into spring and are followed by thin curling seed pods that hang in brownish sheaves.
How to Grow and Care
Acacia requires full sunlight and grows in nearly any type of soil, including sand, clay, or soil that is highly alkaline or acidic. Although Acacia prefers well-drained soil, it tolerates muddy soil for short periods. Acacia is a plant-it-and-forget-it type of tree, although a young tree may need protection from wildlife while it develops its defense system. During the first year, the tree benefits from an orchid fertilizer every three to four weeks. After that time, you can feed the tree a general-purpose fertilizer once every year, but it isn't an absolute requirement. Acacia requires little or no water.
Acacia may need occasional pruning during the dry months. Avoid pruning leafy, green areas, and trim only dead growth.
Although the tree is disease-resistant, it can sometimes be affected by a fungal disease known as anthracnose. Additionally, watch for pests such as aphids, thrips, mites, and scale. See more at How to Grow and Care for Acacia.
Origin
Native to Australia.
Links
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