Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species (including this one) should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to the genera Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia[].

Common Name:

General Information

Acacia cincinnata is an evergreen tree; it can grow up to 25 metres tall in the moister areas of its range, though can be less than 10 metres tall, and sometimes only a shrub, in drier areas. The bole can be up to 60cm in diameter[, , ]. Although it produces leaves as a seedling, llike most members of the genus the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood. It is sometimes used to provide shade in plantations, to provide support for crops such as yams and to restore degraded soils, especially when replanting with forest.

Known Hazards

Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Queensland.

Habitat

Fringing rainforest or as a constituent of rainforest regrowth areas; also found in open forest, particularly in swampy areas; growing best on lowlands and foothills but also extending to the somewhat hilly tablelands[, ].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Butterflies, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 750 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 32°c, but can tolerate 10 - 39°c[]. The plant is intolerant of frost[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 3,500mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a light, sandy soil but is tolerant of a range of conditions including clays and low fertility[]. Prefers a well-drained soil but can tolerate seasonal inundation of the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[]. Plants can be highly productive under acid (pH 4 - 5) and high aluminium soil conditions[]. Trees have shown good wind resistance to tropical cyclones and typhoons[].
Plants can commence flowering when only 26 months old from seed[].
Growth rates are moderate in the early years, typically 1.5 - 2.5 metres per year in height and and an increase in bole diameter of 10 - 25mm per year are recorded in humid parts of Southeast Asia[]. The most rapid growth has been recorded from an ex-forest site in Sabah, Malaysia, where annual height growth increment was 4.1metres per year and a bole increment of 3cm per year[].
Plants resprout well after coppicing[]. They may be coppiced at higher cutting heights (about 50cm) but show limited regrowth if cut near ground level[].
On favourable sites, the rotation period for sawn timber is expected to be about 25 years[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[, ].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[].

Agroforestry Uses:

With its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, its fast rate of growth and tolerance of poor soils, the tree has been successfully employed to restore land that has been degraded by slash-and-burn agriculture in Laos; it is also suitable for reforestation on poor soils[].
It is suitable as a shade tree for cardamom and cocoa[].
Trees are suitable as supports for passion fruit and yams[].

Other Uses

The dark brown wood is attractively marked, close-grained, hard, tough. It is somewhat greasy in nature. It is used for decorative purposes including cabinet work and turnery, and is also suitable for poles and posts. The wood is reportedly resistant to the teredo marine borer and may be useful for some marine purposes[].
The dense wood burns very well when dry[].

Propagation

Seed - easy to propagate, the germination rate is about 80%[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[].

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