Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Across several regions, Acacia melanoxylon has been made into infusions or decoctions that were taken as mild astringent teas. In southern New South Wales, Bundjalung and other families prepared a tea by simmering strips or shavings of inner bark or sapwood in water and drinking it for sore throats, coughs and colds; contemporary accounts record that the bark was shredded and boiled at a camp fire and filtered before use, and that the liquid “cleared the throat” when taken as required (Cadzow, 2006; Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, 2017). Aboriginal communities in south-eastern Australia likewise prepared bark infusions or decoctions for sore mouths or throats, and a bark-based tea was used by NSW coastal peoples as a household remedy (NSW Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council, 2019). Across the Tasman, New Zealand Māori processed inner wood or bark as an infusion, and the gum from the tree was soaked in water to make a soothing drink, while both Aboriginal and Māori women used soaked gum as an emollient in the final weeks of pregnancy (Low, 1988; New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, 2018). In northern New South Wales, ethnoecological studies list multiple Acacia species—including A. melanoxylon—as sources for decoctions of inner bark used internally for respiratory complaints (Beckmann & Bruhl, 2021). The infusion, whether hot or cool, has been described as mild and lightly astringent, and is not typically drunk in large quantities.

A practical recipe for a mild inner-bark tea that aligns with these uses is as follows. Rinse and finely shave or grind a small handful (roughly 15–20 g) of inner bark or small strips of young sapwood. Cover with 500–600 mL of fresh water, bring to a boil, then simmer 10–15 minutes and let stand off the heat for 5 minutes before straining. Drink up to three small cups a day as needed for a sore throat or cough. Because the brew is astringent, start with a smaller dose and stop if stomach upset or dizziness occurs. Internal use in early pregnancy is not recommended, and raw plant parts are not edible; in most recorded uses the bark or gum was heated or soaked before taking.

Well‑established constituents found in Acacia melanoxylon include hydrolyzable and condensed tannins, gallic acid, quercetin and related flavonols, and gum polysaccharides (mucilaginous galactomannans), a profile consistent with astringency and soothing mucosal surfaces (Nicolson et al., 2011).

Research on A. melanoxylon remains limited, but the species persists in contemporary herbal practice mainly through its bark infusions for coughs and sore throats (Beckmann & Bruhl, 2021). It is available as a specialty bark material from Australian native-herb suppliers, and cultural knowledge of bark teas and gum remedies is still shared in community circles in NSW and New Zealand.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Commercial sawn timber and veneer, with wood used in furniture, musical instruments, and turning/carving.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
None documented.

Colorants and tanning:
None documented.

Wood and fiber:
The heartwood is valued for fine furniture, interior joinery, cabinetry, and high‑quality musical instrument making; sliced or rotary veneer is widely used in premium cabinetry and paneling. The wood is suitable for turning and carving and is also used in small boat building and specialty items such as walking sticks. The species yields a dense, durable timber with attractive grain and good dimensional stability when properly seasoned.

Industrial and craft applications:
Commercial plywood and veneer are produced from plantation logs for furniture and paneling. Small‑dimension lumber is used in flooring and tool handles; the wood performs well in interior joinery and specialty joinery. The species is also grown in plantations for timber production and in some agroforestry systems for windbreaks and shade.

Properties relevant to use:
The timber combines high density with strength and a fine, interlocked to wavy grain that yields an attractive figure when planed or finished. Good natural durability when exposed to indoor use and appropriate finishing; excellent turning and carving characteristics. Veneer properties include good slicability and face stability; suitable for fine finishing. These attributes support premium joinery and instrument applications.

Standards and regulation:
Sawn timber and veneer are classified and traded under national timber grading rules; furniture production follows relevant furniture and interior‑finish standards (e.g., national wood product and finish performance specifications). Plantation‑grown logs are commonly certified under forest management schemes (e.g., FSC/PEFC) in major producing regions.

Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is cultivated in commercial plantations across Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South Africa for timber, reducing pressure on native forests. Regular rotation and responsible silviculture support sustained supply.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Racosperma melanoxylon	(R.Br.) C.Mart.
Racosperma melanoxylon	(R.Br.) Pedley	Bot. J. Linn. Soc.92: 240 (1986)
Acacia melanoxylum	R.Br.
Acacia arcuata	Sieber ex Spreng.	Syst. Veg. ed. 16, 3: 135 (1826)
Acacia melanoxylon var. arcuata	Ser.	Fl. Jard.3: 497 (1849)
Acacia melanoxylon var. obtusifolia	Ser.	Fl. Jard.3: 496 (1849)
Mimosa melanoxylum	Poir.	Encycl. [J. Lamarck & al.] Suppl. 5. 530. 1817 [5 Nov 1817]
Acacia melanoxylon f. frutescens	Hochr.	Candollea2: 376 (1925)
Acacia latifolia	Desf.	Tabl. École Bot., ed. 2: 207 (1815)
Mimosa melanoxylon	(R.Br.) Poir.	Encycl. , Suppl. 5: 530 (1817)

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	mudgerabah
English	australian blackwood
English	blackwood acacia
English	sally wattle
English	tasmanian blackwood
English	hickory
English	blackwood
Afrikaans	swarthout
Amharic	ኦሜድላ
Arabic	سنط أسود الخشب
Azerbaijani	qara akasiya
azb	قارا آکاسی
Bulgarian	черна акация
Welsh	acasia pren du
Estonian	must akaatsia
Basque	zur beltzeko akazia
Persian	آکاکیا ملانکسیلون
French	mimosa à bois noir
Hebrew	שיטה שחורה
Armenian	Սև ակացիա
Georgian	აბანოზის აკაცია
Russian	Акация чёрная
Russian	Акация чёрнодревная
Russian	Акация чёрнодревесная
Swedish	svartvedsakacia
Tamil	சீமைவேல்
Ukrainian	Акація чорнодеревна
Chinese	澳洲黑木
Chinese	黑木相思
Chinese	黑木相思树

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Africa click to expand
- East Tropical Africa
  - Kenya
  - Tanzania
- Macaronesia
  - Azores
  - Canary Islands
  - Madeira
- Middle Atlantic Ocean
  - Saint Helena
- Northeast Tropical Africa
  - Eritrea
  - Ethiopia
- Northern Africa
  - Algeria
  - Morocco
- South Tropical Africa
  - Angola
- Southern Africa
  - Cape Provinces
  - Kwazulu-Natal
  - Lesotho
  - Swaziland
- West-central Tropical Africa
  - Zaïre
- Western Indian Ocean
  - Mauritius
  - Réunion

Antarctica click to expand
- Subantarctic Islands
  - Amsterdam-St.Paul Islands

Asia-temperate click to expand
- Caucasus
  - Transcaucasus
- Western Asia
  - Palestine

Asia-tropical click to expand
- Indian Subcontinent
  - Assam
  - East Himalaya
  - India
  - Nepal
  - Pakistan
  - Sri Lanka

Australasia click to expand
- Australia
  - New South Wales
  - Queensland
  - South Australia
  - Tasmania
  - Victoria
  - Western Australia
- New Zealand
  - New Zealand North
  - New Zealand South

Europe click to expand
- Eastern Europe
  - Ukraine
- Northern Europe
  - Great Britain
- Southeastern Europe
  - Greece
  - Italy
- Southwestern Europe
  - France
  - Portugal
  - Spain

Northern America click to expand
- Southeastern U.S.A.
  - Florida
- Southwestern U.S.A.
  - California

Pacific click to expand
- North-central Pacific
  - Hawaii
- South-central Pacific
  - Easter Island

Southern America click to expand
- Brazil
  - Brazil South
- Caribbean
  - Puerto Rico
- Northern South America
  - Venezuela
- Southern South America
  - Argentina Northeast
  - Chile North
  - Chile South
  - Juan Fernández Islands
  - Uruguay
- Western South America
  - Colombia
  - Ecuador
  - Peru

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000204086
USDA Plants	ACME
Tropicos	13024220
INPN	79701
Flora of Italy	2246
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:470873-1
The Plant List	ild-504
Plantarium	28
PFAF	Acacia melanoxylon
Open Tree Of Life	633789
Observations.org	133931
NCBI Taxonomy	138028
NBN Atlas	NHMSYS0000455529
Nature Serve	2.155475
IPNI	470873-1
iNaturalist	53344
GBIF	2979000
Freebase	/m/09_4ln
EPPO	ACAME
EOL	8684941
Calflora (Californian flora)	36
USDA GRIN	926
Wikipedia	Acacia_melanoxylon

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.

Accession	Assembly
Accession	Name	Level	Submitter	Released	Coverage	Size
GCA_048487655.1	ASM4848765v1	Chromosome	Chinese Academy of Forestry	2025-03-07	20	678.18 Mb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Analyses Reveal Dark Heartwood Formation Mechanism in Acacia melanoxylon

Zhang R, Bai X, Chen Z, Chen M, Li X, Zeng B, Hu B

Int J Mol Sci

02-May-2024

PMCID:	PMC11084464
doi:	10.3390/ijms25094974
PMID:	38732191

Correction: Levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) near hospitals and schools using leaves and barks of Sambucus nigra and Acacia melanoxylon

Alexandrino K, Sánchez NE, Viteri F

Environ Geochem Health

25-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11045610
doi:	10.1007/s10653-024-01985-6
PMID:	38664272

Differences in Albizia odoratissima genetic diversity between Hainan Island and mainland populations in China

An Q, Feng Y, Yang Z, Hu L, Wu D, Gong G

Front Plant Sci

24-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11076831
doi:	10.3389/fpls.2024.1369409
PMID:	38721339

Comparative physiological, biochemical, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses reveal the formation mechanism of heartwood for Acacia melanoxylon

Zhang R, Zhang Z, Yan C, Chen Z, Li X, Zeng B, Hu B

BMC Plant Biol

22-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11034122
doi:	10.1186/s12870-024-04884-1
PMID:	38644502

Woody Species Composition, Structure, and Status of Regeneration in Pugnido Forest, Gambella Region, Western Ethiopia

Masresha G, Melkamu Y, Mulu G

Scientifica (Cairo)

04-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11008979
doi:	10.1155/2024/3961434
PMID:	38605976

Morphological, Anatomical, and Physiological Characteristics of Heteroblastic Acacia melanoxylon Grown under Weak Light

Bai X, Chen Z, Chen M, Zeng B, Li X, Tu P, Hu B

Plants (Basel)

18-Mar-2024

PMCID:	PMC10974800
doi:	10.3390/plants13060870
PMID:	38592868

Both evenness and dominant species identity have effects on litter decomposition

Fan B, Gong Z, Xin X, Liu Y, He L, Gao Y, Ren A, Zhao N

Ecol Evol

26-Feb-2024

PMCID:	PMC10896676
doi:	10.1002/ece3.11052
PMID:	38414570

Correction: Zhang et al. Genotype–Environment Interaction and Horizontal and Vertical Distributions of Heartwood for Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. Genes 2023, 14, 1299

Zhang R, Zeng B, Chen T, Hu B

Genes (Basel)

09-Feb-2024

PMCID:	PMC10887675
doi:	10.3390/genes15020221
PMID:	38397249

Biodiversity and Structural Analysis of Woody Plant Species of Home Gardens in Basona Worana District, North Shoa Zone of Central Ethiopia

Woldeyohannes A, Moges A

Scientifica (Cairo)

08-Feb-2024

PMCID:	PMC10869191
doi:	10.1155/2024/5563636
PMID:	38361969

The behavior of thermally modified wood after exposure in maritime/industrial and urban environments

Godinho D, Ferreira C, Lourenço A, de Oliveira Araújo S, Quilhó T, Diamantino TC, Gominho J

Heliyon

24-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC10839613
doi:	10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25020
PMID:	38317944

Levels and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) near hospitals and schools using leaves and barks of Sambucus nigra and Acacia melanoxylon

Alexandrino K, Sánchez NE, Viteri F

Environ Geochem Health

16-Jan-2024

PMCID:	PMC10791842
doi:	10.1007/s10653-023-01825-z
PMID:	38227159

Update of the Xylella spp. host plant database – systematic literature search up to 30 June 2023

Gibin D, Gutierrez Linares A, Fasanelli E, Pasinato L, Delbianco A

EFSA J

15-Dec-2023

PMCID:	PMC10722330
doi:	10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8477
PMID:	38107375

Diverse Bradyrhizobium spp. with Similar Symbiosis Genes Nodulate Peanut in Different Regions of China: Characterization of Symbiovar sv. Arachis

Zhang J, Feng Y, Wang J, Wang E, Andrews M

Plants (Basel)

06-Nov-2023

PMCID:	PMC10647606
doi:	10.3390/plants12213776
PMID:	37960132

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of Acacia melanoxylon stem in response to boron deficiency

Chen Z, Bai X, Zeng B, Fan C, Li X, Hu B

Front Plant Sci

27-Oct-2023

PMCID:	PMC10641760
doi:	10.3389/fpls.2023.1268835
PMID:	37964998

Decoding the Multifaceted Potential of Artemisia monosperma: Comprehensive Insights into Allelopathy, Antimicrobial Activity, and Phytochemical Profile for Sustainable Agriculture

El-Sheikh MA, Alsharekh A, Alatar AA, Rizwana H

Plants (Basel)

26-Oct-2023

PMCID:	PMC10649965
doi:	10.3390/plants12213695
PMID:	37960052

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Aryl ketones
6-Methoxy-2-methyl-4,7-benzofurandione	156280	Click to see	192.17	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1600-0536.1990.TB00080.X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids
(2R,3R,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[(2R,3R,4R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,4,7,8-tetrol	21676339	Click to see	594.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/C39860000236
2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,4,7,8-tetrol	73822569	Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2C(C(C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3)O)O)C4=CC5=C(C(=C4O)O)OC(C(C5O)O)C6=CC(=C(C=C6)O)O)O)O)O	594.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/C39860000236
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones
3',4',7,8-Tetrahydroxyflavanone	12309904	Click to see C1C(OC2=C(C1=O)C=CC(=C2O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O	288.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7
Isookanin	91196552	Click to see C1C(OC2=C(C1=O)C=CC(=C2O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O	288.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones / Flavanonols
(2R,3R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one	21721859	Click to see	304.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7
(2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one	163083455	Click to see	304.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/C39860000236 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7
3,7,8,3',4'-Pentahydroxy flavanone	73829902	Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O)O	304.25	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7 https://doi.org/10.1039/C39860000236
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Leucoanthocyanidins
(2R,3R,4R)-2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,4,7,8-tetrol	169996	Click to see	306.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1600-0536.1990.TB00080.X https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9540001399 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81184-X
(2R,3R,4R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-[[(2R,3R,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]oxy]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7,8-triol	162972719	Click to see	594.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/C39890001505
(2R,3R,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-[[(2R,3R,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]oxy]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7,8-triol	162972718	Click to see	594.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/C39890001505
(2R,3R,4S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-ethoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7,8-triol	21676334	Click to see CCOC1C(C(OC2=C1C=CC(=C2O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O	334.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81184-X
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4,7,8-chromanetetrol	494064	Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2C(C(C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O)O)O	306.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81184-X https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9540001399
2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-[[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-yl]oxy]-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7,8-triol	14463819	Click to see	594.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1039/C39890001505
2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-ethoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,7,8-triol	14463822	Click to see	334.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81184-X
Epimesquitol-4alpha-ol 4-ethyl ether	21676333	Click to see	334.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81184-X
Epimesquitol-4beta-ol	15559981	Click to see	306.27	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81184-X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Flavonol	11349	Click to see	238.24	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85959-2
Melanoxetin	15560442	Click to see	302.23	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7 https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9600004106
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 5-O-methylated flavonoids
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one	22297706	Click to see	318.28	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7
5-O-Methyldihydroquercetin	637323	Click to see	318.28	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84793-7

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Acacia melanoxylon

Table of Contents

Details Top

Ethnobotanical Use Top

General Uses Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Gallery Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top