Acacia melanoxylon R. Br.

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Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Misty Manor site, Vumba

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Dam 2, Southern Loop, Nyika National Park

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Dam 2, Southern Loop, Nyika National Park

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Dam 2, Southern Loop, Nyika National Park

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Dam 2, Southern Loop, Nyika National Park

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Track to John Meikle Forestry Research Station.

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Track to John Meikle Forestry Research Station.

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Track to John Meikle Forestry Research Station.

Acacia melanoxylon

Photo: Bart Wursten
Track to John Meikle Forestry Research Station.

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names: Australian blackwood (English) Black wattle (English)
Description: Small to large tree up to 20 m. It is easily distinguished from related "wattles" (A. dealbata and A. mearnsii) as it only has bi-pinnate leaves in the seedling stage. The simple leaves of larger specimens are in fact swollen and flattened petioles called phyllodes.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: melanoxylon: from the Greek: melanos, meaning black, xylon meaning wood, referring to the black wood.
Flowering time:Aug - Sep
Worldwide distribution: Native to Australia.
Growth form(s): Tree.
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Biegel, H.M. (1977). Check-list of ornamental plants used in Rhodesian parks and gardens. Rhodesia Agricultural Journal. Research Report No. 3. Page 17.

Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2008). Plants of Angola Strelitzia 22 SANBI, Pretoria Page 76.

Henderson, L. (2001). Alien weeds and invasive plants Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. Page 145. (Includes a picture).

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 44.

Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 111.

Schmidt, E., Lötter, M. & McCleland, W. (2002). Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park Jacana, Johannesburg, South Africa Pages 156 - 157. (Includes a picture).

Timberlake, J., Fagg, C. & Barnes, R. (1999). Field Guide to the Acacias of Zimbabwe CBC Publishing, Harare Pages 142 - 143. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Acacia melanoxylon:

Our websites:

Flora of Angola: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Angola: cultivated Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Burundi: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Burundi: cultivated Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of the DRC: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of the DRC: cultivated Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Kenya: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Malawi: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Malawi: cultivated Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Tanzania: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Tanzania: cultivated Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Zimbabwe: Acacia melanoxylon
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Acacia melanoxylon

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Acacia melanoxylon
African Plant Database: Acacia melanoxylon
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Acacia melanoxylon
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Acacia melanoxylon
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Acacia melanoxylon
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Acacia melanoxylon
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Acacia melanoxylon
JSTOR Plant Science: Acacia melanoxylon
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Acacia melanoxylon
Plants of the World Online: Acacia melanoxylon
Tropicos: Acacia melanoxylon
Wikipedia: Acacia melanoxylon


Copyright: The Kenya flora team, 2026

The Kenya flora team (2026). Flora of Kenya: Cultivated Plants: Species information: Acacia melanoxylon.
https://www.kenyaflora.com/cult/species.php?species_id=126040, retrieved 29 September 2026

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