Black Wattle
Acacia mearnsii
NEMBA category
English: Black Wattle, Late Black Wattle
Afrikaans: Swartwattel
Black Wattle is a fast-growing tree with dark bark and feathery foliage. Highly invasive in watercourses.
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Origins:
South-eastern Australia and Tasmania
Overall Appearance:
Black Wattle is a fast-growing, evergreen tree that can reach heights of 5-25 meters. It has a spreading crown and a smooth, grey-black bark that becomes fissured with age.
Leaves:
Leaves are bipinnate (divided into many small leaflets), giving them a feathery appearance. They are dark green and finely hairy.
Flowers:
Small, fragrant, pale yellow to cream-colored flowers are arranged in spherical clusters. Flowering typically occurs from August to September.
Fruits:
Flattened, brown pods containing numerous small, hard seeds.
Seeds:
Small, dark brown seeds that are dispersed by wind, water, and animals.
Bark:
Smooth, grey-black bark that becomes fissured with age.
Wood:
Hard, heavy, and durable wood that is used for various purposes, including timber, firewood, and tannin extraction.
Soil Type:
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, but prefers well-drained soils.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun.
Edibility:
No parts of the plant are typically consumed.
Toxicity:
No known toxicity to humans. However, it can suppress the growth of native plants and alter soil chemistry.
Uses:
Historically, Black Wattle has been widely cultivated for its tannin-rich bark, used in leather tanning. It is also used for timber, firewood, and as a source of honey.
Note: While Black Wattle has some economic uses, it is considered a serious invasive species in South Africa. It invades natural areas, displaces native vegetation, alters soil chemistry, and increases the risk of fire.
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Scientific Name
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Plant type
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Plant family (derivation)