Black Wattle
Acacia mearnsii
Campus of University of Eldoret, Kenya, Africa. October 2010.
The wood of the Black Wattle is used as firewood and provides welcome shade from the tropical Sun. However, this tree is native to Australia and as such is undesirable in native habitats where it is a weed that can push out native species. The bark is mostly smooth and dark gray and the branches free of thorns. The leaves are twice pinnately compound, the ultimate segments smooth and dark green. The flowers are borne in small, tight spheres. The petals are vestigial - many pale yellow or cream stamens providing color and show.