Scientific Name
Acacia melanoxylon R.Br.
Common Name(s)
Australian Blackwood, Black Acacia, Sally Wattle, Lightwood, Hickory, Mudgerabah, Tasmanian Blackwood, Black Wattle, Blackwood Acacia
Synonym(s)
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 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, 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.
The flowers are small, cream-colored, and appear in a small ball-like cluster from late winter into spring. They 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 highly alkaline or acidic soil. 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 scales.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Acacia.
Origin
Acacia melanoxylon is native to Australia.
Links
- Back to genus Acacia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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