Black Wattle

Black Wattle Tree

Acacia mearnsii

Aboriginal Name: Myimbarr

The Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), known as Myimbarr, holds significant cultural and practical importance for Indigenous communities. Its edible gum is valued not only for its taste but also for its medicinal properties. The leaves serve a dual purpose, as they can be crushed and mixed with water to create a soap-like substance. This soap has traditionally been used as a hunting aid, with large quantities added to water sources to suffocate fish, facilitating easier catches. Additionally, the tree’s dark bark is rich in tannins, making it ideal for treating leather and crafting skins, while the bark itself is also utilized to produce rope and string.