Scientific Name: Acacia Concurrens
Common Name: Black Wattle
Turrbal Name: Kagarkal
Indigenous Use
Wood used to make boomerangs, spears and clubs. Inner bark made into fibre for rope, bags and nets. Seeds were ground, cooked and eaten. Young roots eaten. Bark infused with water to treat coughs and colds.
When to Use
Wood, bark and young roots are available all year. Seeds mature in August to September.
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Acacia concurrens, also known as phyllodes, are long, narrow, and sickle-shaped, typically measuring 8-15 cm in length. They are dark green and have a prominent central vein.
Bark: The bark is dark brown to black, rough, and fissured, giving it a textured appearance.
(Source: Pinterest 2024)
Flowers: This plant blooms with bright yellow, fluffy, spherical flowers that are grouped in clusters. The flowers usually appear in late winter to early spring.
Pods: After flowering, it produces seed pods that are flat, long (up to 10 cm), and brown when mature. The pods contain several hard, dark brown seeds.
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Coastal Heathlands: Coastal heath habitats have in common sandy soil low in nutrients, a low pH (between 3.5 and 6.5), and a constant supply of moisture. They are characterised by their low-growing, dense vegetation, adapted to sandy soils and frequent fires. Common plants in these areas are grasstrees and banksias. These ecosystems can be found in well-known areas such as Cooloola, Bribie Island, and Noosa National Park.
Eucalyptus Forests: Eucalyptus forests are characterised by their dominant eucalyptus tree species, thriving in a variety of soil types and pH levels, usually ranging from 4.5 to 7. These forests support a diverse understory of shrubs, grasses, and ground covers, and are adapted to periodic fires which help in seed germination and pest control. Common plants found in eucalyptus forests include wattles, grevilleas, and native grasses. These ecosystems are prominent in areas such as Lamington National Park, the Glass House Mountains, and D’Aguilar National Park.
References
Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), 2023. Acacia concurrens (Black Wattle). [online] Available at: https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2891715 [Accessed 8 June 2024].
Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG), 2024. Acacia concurrens (Black Wattle). [online] Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-concurrens.html [Accessed 8 June 2024].
Cherikoff, V. and Jennifer Isaacs, The Bush Food Handbook: How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Sydney, 1992
Petrie, Constance, Tom Petrie’s Reminiscences of Early Queensland. Angus and Robertson, 1975, (facsmile of 1904 edition)
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.