Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon, W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kew. 5: 462 (1813))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: R.Br.

Bibliography: W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kew. 5: 462 (1813)

Year: 1813

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acacia

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. & SE. Australia

Description

The Australian blackwood, scientifically known as Acacia melanoxylon, is a prominent member of the Fabaceae family. This elegant tree was first documented by the renowned botanist Robert Brown and was subsequently described in W.T. Aiton’s “Hortus Kewensis” in 1813. Native to Australia, it thrives predominantly in the eastern and southeastern regions of the continent.

Australian blackwood is notable for its robust and versatile wood, which has earned it a reputation for use in fine furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments. The tree typically features a straight trunk and can grow to impressive heights, showcasing a spreading crown and lush, green foliage. Its leaves, or phyllodes, are leathery and lance-shaped, which helps it adapt to its native environment.

During its flowering season, the Australian blackwood produces small, pale yellow to cream-colored spherical flowers, which are both attractive and aromatic. These blossoms are followed by the development of seed pods, which house the seeds vital for its reproduction.

Ecologically, Acacia melanoxylon plays a significant role in its native environment, contributing to soil stabilization and providing habitat and food for various wildlife species. Its adaptability to different soil types and resistance to drought make it a resilient species within its natural habitat.

With its combination of aesthetic appeal and practical applications, the Australian blackwood continues to be a valued species both in its native Australia and in other parts of the world where it is cultivated.

Common Names

Ita: acacia melanoxylon, gaggia, mimosa
Eng: australian blackwood, blackwood, paluma blackwood, tasmanian blackwood, black sally, black wattle, black-wood, blackwood acacia, sally wattle, silver wattle
Afr: australiese swarthout
Fra: mimosa à bois noir
Spa: acacia, acacia de leño negro, acacia de los filodios, acacia de madera negra, acacia negra
Por: acácia-da-austrália, acácia-negra-da-austrália, acácia-preta, alfarrobeira, madeira-preta, ébano-da-austrália
Swe: svartvedsakacia
Cym: acasia pren du, acasiâu pren du
En: Australian Blackwood, Blackwood, Paluma blackwood, Tasmanian blackwood, Black sally, Black wattle, Black-wood, Blackwood acacia, Sally wattle, Silver wattle
Af: Australiese swarthout
Fr: Mimosa à bois noir, Acacia à bois noir
De: Tropische Akazie
It: Acacia melanoxylon, Gaggia, Mimosa, Acacia a legno nero
Pt: Acácia-da-austrália, Acácia-negra-da-austrália, Acácia-preta, Alfarrobeira, Madeira-preta, Ébano-da-austrália
Es: Acacia, Acacia de leño negro, Acacia de los filodios, Acacia de madera negra, Acacia negra
Sv: Svartvedsakacia
Cy: Acasia Pren Du, Acasiâu Pren Du

Synonyms

• Racosperma melanoxylon ((R.Br.) Pedley)
• Acacia melanoxylon var. obtusifolia (Ser.)
• Acacia melanoxylon f. frutescens (Hochr.)
• Mimosa melanoxylon ((R.Br.) Poir.)
• Acacia latifolia (Desf.)
• Acacia melanoxylon var. arcuata (Ser.)

Distribution

• New South Wales (native)
• Queensland (native)
• South Australia (native)
• Tasmania (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Di Di (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Mapu XXX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Jorge Cancela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by de Paz Flora (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2020 by Biophilia Lovers (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 11, 2020 by gaez cristian (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Roberto Sacristan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Skyler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Mário Nogueira (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Oiliam Stolarski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by de Paz Flora (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2020 by Biophilia Lovers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 14, 2021 by Magalie Delalande (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2021 by emmanuelle ollivier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by de Paz Flora (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by de Paz Flora (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2020 by Georgia Pope (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Hellishgaze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 23, 2020 by peter.banksii (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2020 by Joshua Gilmore (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Skyler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2021 by seckler marcelo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 9, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:470873-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2979000)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acacia melanoxylon R.Br.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.3

Ph minimum: 6.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 5