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 glaucocarpa is a shrub or a tree that can grow from 2.5 - 10 metres tall, usually with a single stem[, ]. Unlike most of the Australian Acacias, this species retains its true leaves into maturity and does not develop phyllodes.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of tannins.
Acacia glaucocarpa has a wide distribution in open forest or woodland; it is known to occur within protected areas; its seeds are banked as a conservation measure; and it is known from many localities. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

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 - southeastern Queensland

Habitat

Found in open forest or woodland or mixed scrub woodland, on sandstone or sedimentary rocks, often in deep soils; at elevations up to 450 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia glaucocarpa is a plant of the subtropical to tropical zone of eastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 450 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 35°c, but can tolerate 8 - 40°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 650 - 800mm, but tolerates 500 - 850mm[]. It withstands a dry season of 1 - 3 months[].
Requires a sunny position. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding in dry conditions and low fertility, and preferring a light to medium texture[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
A fast-growing tree - in trials planted at Wongi and Tuan (Queensland) in 1986, trees of the Blackdown Tableland provenance gave an average height of 8.6 metres and 12.4 metres, with basal diameters of 12.7cm and 18.2cm, respectively, at 4.5 years[].
An attractive tree, it is cultivated in gardens and parks of inland tropical and subtropical areas, being moderately drought resistant but sensitive to frost[].
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[].

Other Uses

Acacia glaucocarpa is reported to be one of the best tannin producers of the Queensland acacias, with a yield of 16 - 26%[]. Bark harvested for its tannins should only be taken from mature stems, and only when the sap is rising at the beginning of the growing season - which is when the tannin content is highest and the bark is most easily removed from the wood[].

The wood is moderately dense. It can be used as posts, poles[, ]. Acacia glaucocarpa is reputed to have good pulp-making properties and combined with its very good early growth rates appears to have some good potential for pulpwood plantations in eastern Australia[].
The wood can be used for fuel[].

Propagation

The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up 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. Seed germinates best at a temperature around 21°c[]. Plants make a deep taproot and resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
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[].
Semi-ripe cuttings of lateral shoots[].

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