PlantFiles: Earleaf Acacia, Ear-pod Wattle, Papuan Wattle, Auri, Northern Black Wattle
Acacia auriculiformis

I have dozens of these on my place and really like them. They're pioneer plants and are a good fast growing cover for more sensitive ones, great for establishing a 'rainforest'. Their leaves make great mulch, the best pineapples I've grown were in Black Wattle leaf mulch.

I've friends who say the best Mangosteens in their orchard are those growing amongst the Black Wattles.

They can be invasive but not nearly as much as African Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis). They don't germinate in deep shade, whereas mahoganys germinate anywhere from deep shade to full sun. And they aren't the 'widow makers' that the mahoganys can be.

They can grow waterlogged for nearly half the year in the wet season. They're one of the longer lived acacias.

However, their lifespan is shorter than a lot of other trees, which can become a problem. In cyclones African Mahoganys are the first to go over, but Black Wattles follow not long later.

Although a weedy tree (it spreads, but not hard to keep up with compared to other species like Brazilian pepper), one interesting botanical feature is that from a seed, this plant produces four first sets of leaves that are each shaped differently.

I have not grown this plant. It is "(n)ative to the savannas of New Guinea, islands of the Torres Strait, and northern Australia, it has been widely introduced, e.g. in Fiji, India, Indonesia, Java, Malaysia, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, the Soloman Islands, Uganda, and Zanzibar." Source: James A. Duke. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops. unpublished. earpod wattle is an introduced native plant in Florida and is on the invasive plant list (Category I). It is found in Maui in small populations and probably on the other Hawaiian Islands; however, eradication methods are being recommended to prevent it from naturalizing.

The wood is used for making farm tools and furniture as well as used for fuel wood.

"The plant is amazing in its ability to recolonize wastes, papermill sludge, pH ca 9.5; even uranium spoils, pH ca 3.0; the only tree found on 20-year old uranium spoil. Used for the cultivation of the lac insect in India." ... "Seeds, storable for 18 months in airtight containers, should be soaked in hot water for 24 hours. Sow in full light, allowing 6 days for germination ..." Source: James A. Duke. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops. unpublished.

I had one in my backyard. Thank goodness it is gone!

It is one of the messiest trees around.

First, the leaves are big and don't break down easily.

Second, when in bloom, big grains of pollen fall everywhere. If you are sipping iced tea underneath it, enjoying the shade of this tree, big grains of pollen fall into your drink.

Third, it has big, gnarly seed pods. When ripening, they do make a neat crackling sound as they curl, this is one neat thing about this tree. When the pods open they spit seeds everywhere! And then THEY fall, everywhere! They are big. They hurt to walk on. They do not rake easily, either.

It is now over 2 years since the tree is gone, and I am still pulling up seedlings.

I donated some photos of this tree because it's a hard one to find any photos for online.

These are really unique looking. They are also a real pain in the habitat. Spreading quickly and crowding out native vegetation. Class I invasive.

Earleaf Acacia is a plant that was once popular as a landscape plant here in South Florida but is now seriously invasive in natural habitats, sucking out water and removing valuable native vegetation. It is widespread in zones 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 and below through the Keys. Its roots are very strong and can break through concrete, ruining sidewalks and driveways and pushing out other vegetation. This plant was introduced in the early 1900s as a landscape plant in California, the Southwest United States and Texas, and Florida. The plant quickly spread into natural areas in Florida, and is common especially in my area. Many people in the Southwest, Texas, and southern California, however, still value these trees and plant them there, where they may not be as invasive as in my South Florida area. If you live anywhere in Florida, especially in South Florida, please take this into consideration, and don't be tempted by the attractive looks of this tree landscape plant!

MORE FACTS - This plant is native to southeast Asia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinia and Australia. It grows well rapidly especially in full sunlight. It can grow up to about 30 feet tall as a tree. It is listed as a Category One Invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC).