Hickory Wattle, Brown sandalwood
Acacia mangium

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

A tropical plant. A native of Queensland Australia. It occurs across SE Asia to Malaysia. It prefers medium to heavy soils. It needs a protected shady position. It is drought resistant and can tolerate waterlogging. It is probably damaged by frost. It suits high rainfall areas. It grows up to 195 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, West Timor

How it is used for food

The roots of young plants are eaten. The seeds can be germinated and cooked as a vegetable.

The root is used as food in Australia but it is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Roots, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. The seed need to be treated to break the hard seed coat. Normally this is by putting the seeds in very hot water and letting the water cool down overnight then planting the seeds immediately. Seed are normally produced October to November.

(Seed are commonly eaten by native animals making seed collection hard.) The tree is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Biar, Broadleaf salwood, Forest mangrove, Mangge hutan, Mangium, Sabah salwood, Tongke hutan

Synonyms

Mangium montanum Rumph.; Racosperma mangium;