Acacia mearnsii
Acacia mearnsii

This plant was assessed as Lower Risk in our Research Portal. You can conduct your own research on this or other plants by creating a free login to the portal.

Lower Risk
Invasive overseasNaturalised in a similar climateNaturalised in AustraliaProduces copious viable seed or propagulesReproduces and spreads vegetatively

Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)

(Racosperma mearnsii)

This tree is native to large parts of south-eastern Australia (i.e. New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia). It is a fast growing species widely cultivated as an ornamental and forestry tree, that has been in the Australian plant trade since 1870. The species reproduces by copious seed production that can be dispersed by animals and water, and can also form root suckers. It has naturalised in Western Australia and beyond its native range in South Australia and New South Wales. Although it does not cause significant problems yet in Australia, the species is among the top 100 of the “World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species”, being recorded as invasive in 58 countries or islands. It is known to displace native species and to compete aggressively after fire by forming dense thickets.  The species would be best grown only in its endemic range and from seed collected in the immediate area to where it is to be grown.