4B-3-Acacia-melanoxylon-fr-Marilyn-Gray.jpg

Acacia melanoxylon

Blackwood, Burna'look, Bunurong

A fast-growing small to large upright tree with hard, fissured bark.

Additional information

  • FamilyFabaceae
  • StoreyUpper storey
  • Size5-30 m x 4-15 m
  • Plant groupingTrees 5 m +
  • LeavesDull green foliage to 15 cm x 10-25 mm wide, with 3-5 raised main veins. Young foliage often has ferny leaves on the tips.
  • Flower colourCream
  • Flowering timeJuly to October
  • FlowersShort clusters of ball-shaped flowerheads on scaly stalks. Pods 4-15 cm x 3.5-10 mm, becoming twisted and coiled, retained for a long time; seed stalk red.
  • Bird attractingGeneral - food and habitat
  • Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsWidespread, preferring moist fertile soils, in valleys in wetter mountain forests. Once established it will tolerate drier conditions but may remain smaller. Frost tolerant. Full or partial sun
  • Garden useShade & screening. Habitat tree. Will sucker if roots damaged. Can be upper or middle canopy.
  • Commercially availableGenerally
  • Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
  • Aboriginal Use Weapons, medicine, fishing lines from fibre; fish poison from pounded leaves
Photographer/s: Marilyn Bull ©

Plant Communities

  • 05 Mountain Ash Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 30)
  • 37 Yarra Gum Grassy Woodland (EVC 175)
  • 30 Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 29 Green Scentbark Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 12 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 18)
  • 38 Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest – Middle Yarra (EVC 47)
  • 26 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Middle Yarra (EVC 22)
  • 17 Messmate Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 27 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 22)
  • 08 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest – Dandenongs (EVC 29)
  • 11 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 18)
  • 09 Myrtle Beech Cool Temperate rainforest (EVC31)
  • 42 Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest - Christmas Hills (EVC 47)
  • 13 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Upper Yarra (EVC 18)
  • 34 Manna Gum Floodplain Riparian Woodland (EVC 56)
  • 22 Silver-leaf Stringybark Heathy Woodland (EVC 48)
  • 10 Southern Sassafras Cool Temperate rainforest (EVC 31)
  • 19 Long-leaf Box Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 40 Snow Gum Grassy Woodland (EVC 175/37)
  • 18 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 45)
  • 31 Candlebark Grassy Forest (EVC 128)
  • 21 Broad-leaf Peppermint Heathy Dry Forest (EVC 20)
  • 01 Alpine Ash Montane Damp Forest (EVC 38)
  • 07 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 29)
  • 20 Messmate Lowland Forest (EVC 16)
  • 41 Swamp Paperbark Riparian Thicket (EVC 59)
  • 03 Narrow-leaf Peppermint Montane damp Forest (EVC 38)
  • 33 Mountain Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 06 Mountain Ash Wet Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 30)
  • 32 Silvertop Ash Shrubby Foothill Forest (EVC 45)
  • 16 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest Central Highlands/UpperYarra (EVC 45)
  • 36 Scented Paperbark Riparian Thicket – Central Highlands (EVC 59)
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