Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species (including this one) should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to the genera Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia[].
This species is closely related to Acacia dealbata[]. Hybrids between Acacia baileyana and Acacia decurrens are common[].

Common Name: Lancewood

General Information

Acacia doratoxylon is an evergreen shrub or a tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall[]. The plant usually forms a single, upright, straight stem that can be up to 35cm in diameter[, ]. Although it produces true leaves as a seedling, llike most members of this section of the genus, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It can be used to provide shelter and for soil stabilization, and is often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Victoria

Habitat

Open woodland or open forest in skeletal rocky soils, often on ridges or hillsides and on flat or undulating land, with mallee eucalypts in red earths; at elevations from 200 - 1,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia doratoxylon is a plant of the semi-arid to humid regions of the temperate and subtropical zones of southeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 23°c, but can tolerate 16 - 38°c[]. Plants can tolerate short-lived temperatures falling to around -5°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 400 - 600mm, but tolerates 375 - 750mm[].
Requires a sunny position. Grows best in medium to light-textured, well-drained soils of medium to low fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants are very attractive and are often grown as ornamentals[, ].
Fast-growing when young with annual height increases up to 2.6 metres, the trees generally live for around 20 - 30 years[, ].
Plants do not generally respond well to coppicing[].
This species is closely related to Acacia caroleae[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[, ].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has good potential for use in windbreaks and, with its spreading root system and tolerance of sandy soils, can be used in soil stabilization projects[].
A prolific producer of pollen, it is a good bee plant[].

Other Uses

The tree yields a scented wood, which may have potential for use in perfumery[].

The heartwood is dark-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the narrow band of yellow heartwood. The wood is close-grained, hard, tough, heavy, and durable. It was used traditionally to make artefacts, boomerangs, tools and spears and can be used for making gates, buggy-poles, furniture, etc[, ]. It has been compared to Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon ) in appearance and may have some potential as a speciality furniture timber and for craftwood etc[].
The wood is an excellent fuel and can be used to make industrial charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse[].The dried seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed in Spring in a greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[].