Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Acacia

Species:

Acacia melanoxylon

USDA Symbol:

ACME

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Tree

Height:

3000 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

feb,mar,apr

Bloom Colors:

cream, yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Hummingbirds:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, bees

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Seeds are stimulated to germinate by fire; mature trees can resprout after low-intensity fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Prefers fertile soils in its native range

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 30–60 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–28 days

Notes:

Seeds require hot water or mechanical scarification to break physical dormancy, followed by warm stratification.

Where to Buy

Nationwide Seller

• Sheffield's Seed (seeds)