22. Acacia melanoxylon, Australian Blackwood

 

Acacia melanoxylon, Australian Blackwood

           Phyllode Leaf  with bipinnate juvenile leaves

Acacia melanoxylon, Australian Blackwood volunteer tree

 

22. Austrialian Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon

Artist’s Note:

Like many of us at LBH&G, the adaptable Acacia melanoxylon is a volunteer. Although considered an invasive species, this lovely, young, vigorous tree is welcome here because of many positive traits. Providing spring color with easy care, it photosynthesizes, stores and converts carbon into the oxygen we breathe. Check out its unusual leaves, as they are actually flattened stems called phyllodes. At their tips, you will often see the feathery, pinnate juvenile leaves. 

As it matures, a peapod-like seed structure gives away its place in the legume family. A very important member of the plant community, legumes convert nitrogen to a form available to all plants that improves soil fertility.  Although, I never think of trees as a product, but rather a living system, I am told its wood makes lovely musical instruments. 

Vulgo: Austrialian Blackwood

 

Name: Acacia melanoxylon

Family: Fabaceae

Habit: Tree

Height: 65 ft (20 M)

Native to: Australia 

 

Leaf type: Juvenile are pinnate, older are simple phyllode

 

Shape: Lanceolate

 

Tip: Acute

 

Margin: Entire

 

Venation: Parallel

 

Surface: Smooth

 

Juvenile leaf size: 4 in (10 cm) Phyllode leaf size: 5 in (30 cm)

 

Arrangement: Alternate

Pen and ink: Amber R Turner © 2020