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Northern Black Wattle

Fast growing medium-sized tree, 16 - 30 m tall that forms dense foliage cover. It is particularly drought resistant, and tolerates poor soil conditions.

Leaves

Long, slightly curved leaves 10 - 20 cm long.

Flowers

Grouped yellow flowers in a spike, up to 8 cm long, develop from February to August.

Fruits/Seeds

Pods flat but strongly coiled, brown, linear to oblong that contain shiny black seeds.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Plants
  • Species origin: Native
  • Conservation status: Common

  • What to Observe

    • First fully open single flower

    • Full flowering (record all days)

    • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

    • No flowering

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    • Throughout the year
    • Easy to identify during flowering season (February to August)

    Where To Look

    • Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia
    • Well-drained sandy soils, beside waterways and swamps, and in closed or low open forests

  • What Else?

    Similar Species

    Acacia polystachya can be distinguished by smaller bladed leaves that have a red or pink gland visible on the upper side. Flowers are also spiked, but are sparse and white, with pods that are usually twisted, curved or coiled to some extent.

    A. auriculiformis shares the same common name as A. mearnsii which is unrelated and found in all states except Northern Territory.

    Remember the flower (spike) colour can help distinguish between species.
  • Trails: Darwin East Point Reserve NT, James Cook University Townsville QLD
  • Species Region: Australia