This species is part of the Acacia Aulacocarpa group and, prior to the publication by M. W. McDonald and B. R. Maslin; 'Taxonomic revision of the Salwoods: Acacia aulacocarpa Cunn. ex Benth. and its allies (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae: section Juliflorae)', Australian Systematic Botany 13(1) 21 - 78 9 2002); was considered not to be distinct from that species. This new treatment recognizes eight species in the group, four of which (Acacia celsa,A. crassicarpa, A. peregrina andA. Midgleyi) are considered to have considerable potential for commercial wood production in tropical plantation forestry[].
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 minyura is a usually multi-stemmed shrub with a dense crown; it can grow up to 4 metres tall and wide. The branchlets have massive resinous ribs and a blue-grey resin coating the growing points and young phyllodes. Although it produces true leaves as a seedling, like most members of this section of the genus, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its resin.

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 - Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland

Habitat

Usually found on sandy soils, occasionally on loamy clays, particularly in dune swales and occasionally on shallow rocky soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia minyura is widely spread but scattered through the arid belt of Australia ranging from warm temperate areas that experience some frosts to more tropical, frost-free areas.

Plants have the ability to resprout from the root stock after fire or mechanical damage[]
This species intergrades with Acacia ayersiana and Acacia aneura over much of its range, particularly in the southern part of the Northern Territory.
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

The new shoots are enveloped by a thick layer of resin when first initiated. The resin is usually red-brown and translucent in northwestern plants (but often milky blue-grey and opaque elsewhere), aging pale green with a sheen.
The copious resin that covers the branchlets is used by some indigenous peoples of central Australia as a cementing agent[].

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.
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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