Black Wattle

Acacia mearnsii

NEMBA: Category 2

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.