Acacia melanoxylon

Acacia melanoxylon_black acacia_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: blackwood Acacia

Acacia melanoxylon (black Acacia) is a tree (family Fabaceae) found along the coast of California, in the North and South Coast Ranges, and the San Francisco Bay region. It favors disturbed areas, and is often found near buildings and agricultural sites. Black Acacia, which has spherical cream-colored flowers, was introduced as a landscape ornamental and has escaped cultivation in some areas. It is native to south eastern Australia. Black Acacia trees can develop root suckers that grow to become large clonal populations. The trees also reproduce using seeds that are dispersed by water movement and human activities. To control mature trees, most root fragments must be removed to prevent resprouting.

View the Jepson Herbarium video to help identify Acacia species.

Cal-IPC Rating: Limited?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Acacia melanoxylon Information

  • Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Acacia melanoxylon_Immature(L) and mature(R) leaves_RonVanderhoff
    Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood Acacia) Immature (L) and mature (R) leaves. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Acacia melanoxylon_seeds and seed pods_copyright2021_NealKramer
    Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood Acacia) seeds and seed pods. Photo: &#169 2021 Neal Kramer
    Acacia melanoxylon_inflorescences_ZoyaAkulova
    Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood Acacia) inflorescences. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Acacia melanoxylon_growth habit_ZoyaAkulova
    Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood Acacia) growth habit. Photo: Zoya Akulova