Black gidgee
Acacia pruinocarpa
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
It occurs in inland areas in Australia. It is mostly on rocky or sandy soils. It suits a hot dry climate. It needs a well drained soil and sunny position. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seed are lightly roasted and ground into a paste then eaten. The white or yellow gum which exudes from the tree is eaten and enjoyed. The honey dew from a lerp insect on the leaves and stems is eaten. It is sweet.
Edible parts
Seeds, gum, honeydew, roots
How it is grown
It is grown from seed.
It is difficult to separate the seeds from the pod. It produces large quantities of gum. It flowers only in mid summer.
Its other names
Local names
Gidgee, Itawara, Pulluru, Tawu, Yallari