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[].

Common Name:

General Information

Acacia inceana is a dense shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall, sometimes a multi-stemmed tree with a dense, spreading crown (subsp conformis) growing 4 - 5 metres tall. Tree forms generally have 1 - 5 trunks, each around 8 - 13cm in diameter[, ]. Although it produces true leaves as a seedling, like 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 seed is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It has been suggested as a potential commercial seed crop for areas such as Western Australia[]. The plant (especially subspecies conformis) can be used in regenerating saline soils.

Known Hazards

The seed of many Acacia species, including this one, is edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten safely as a fairly major part of the diet. Not all species are edible, however, and some can contain moderate levels of toxins[]. Especially when harvesting from the wild, especial care should be taken to ensure correct identification of any plants harvested for food[].
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 - southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Grows in red soil with scattered eucalypts and low semi-dense shrub associations, rarely in saline habitats. Subsp conformis is a highly salt-tolerant form found in alkaline, coarse clay-sand or sandy loam at margins of salt pans or lakes.[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia inceana is native to the Mediterranean climate of southwestern Western Australia where it experiences a low frequency of frosts[].
Requires a sunny position. Grows best in a well-drained medium to heavy soil. The subspecies conformis is highly tolerant of saline conditions and both it and the species are found in alkaline soils[].
Although the pods are numerous, they are scattered over the plants (not occuring in bunches) and it is therefore time-consuming collecting them by hand. The most efficient way of collecting seed in quantity is to manually shake or gently beat the branches and collect the pods and seeds on a ground sheet[].
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

Seed - cooked[]. It can be eaten in the same ways as other small legume seeds and is also ground into a powder then used as a flavouring in desserts or as a nutritious supplement to pastries and breads[]. The seedpods are 40 - 85mm long and 3 - 4mm wide, with , oblong seeds 4.5 - 6mm long[].
Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain around 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480 ±270 kJ per 100g. The seeds are low glycaemic index foods - the starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise[].

The ground seed can be used to produce a high quality, caffeine-free coffee-like beverage[].

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 subspecies conformis has high potential for use in regenerating saline sites. Under natural conditions it forms large, dense populations around the margins of salt lakes and salt pans in many areas. Also, in places it develops large regrowth populations along road verges. On account of its large growth habit and its ability to form dense populations in marginal areas, it is very suitable for soil stabilisation around saline lakes and the creeklines leading into them[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].