Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth., Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 13 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: auri, earleaf acacia, earpod wattle, northern black wattle, Papuan wattle, tan wattle

Maori (Cook Islands): ākasia

Pohnpeian: tuhkehn pwelmwahu

Habit:  tree

Description:  "Small to medium tree; bark hard, furrowed; phylodes 12-20 cm x 3-5 cm glaucous, glabrous, falcate, with 3 prominent nerves; flower-heads rod-like, bright yellow; pods 5-6.5 cm x 1-1.5 cm, hard, woody, twisted and almost spire-like, glaucous." (Elliot and Jones, 1982) "Tree; 'leaves' simple, sickle-shaped, 5 to 8 by 1 to 2 inches; pods woody, nearly flat, irregularly twisted and wavy-edged, about 0.5 inch wide" (Neal, 1965; p. 411).  "Small tree; phyllodes oblong-curved, to 8 in. long; flower heads in short, racemose spikes; fruit much-twisted." (Bailey and Bailey, 1976; p. 4).

Habitat/ecology:  A commonly planted forestry tree. Can become naturalized where planted. An environmental pest in southern Florida (Hammer, 1996; p. 24)

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 13) Not common.
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 32) Not common.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane (2000) (p. 22)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. Field notes.) Sparingly naturalized.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 15) Naturalized.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 63)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (pp. 6, 25)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (pp. 6, 25)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (pp. 6, 25)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 27)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2005) (p. 15) Voucher cited: Lorence 7876 (PTBG)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 62)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1996) (voucher ID: BISH 649171) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. Field notes.) Sparingly naturalized.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (1998) (p. 20) Voucher cited: Lorence 8101 (PTBG) Becoming naturalized.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. Field notes.) Sparingly naturalized.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 33)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1980) (voucher ID: BISH 659658) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Frohlich, Danielle/Lau, Alex (2007) (pp. 9-10) Voucher cited: A. Lau & D. Frohlich s.n. 0611292 (BISH)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 108)
New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) New Guinea Island	New Guinea Island	native	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
Palau Hatohobei Group	Tobi Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 95)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 88)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 84)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1997) (voucher ID: BISH 697860) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1997) (voucher ID: BISH 697861) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1997) (voucher ID: BISH 697873) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 89)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 79)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1989) (voucher ID: BISH 634812) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 79)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 79)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 90)
Palau Rock Islands	Ngercheu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 17, 92) Carp Resort
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1986) (voucher ID: BISH 508808) Taxon name on voucher: Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 43)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 70)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	native	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	native	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	Australian Biological Resources Study (2007)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Pallawatta, Nirmalie/Reaser, Jamie K./Gutierrez, Alixis T./eds. (2003) (p. 89)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 102)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Rodrigues Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2005)

Comments:  Little natural regeneration of this species seen in Micronesia (Space & Falanru, 1999). Some naturalization noted, mostly on bare soil, on Mangaia, Cook Islands (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Observed on the Chuuk islands of Weno, Tol and Fefan; probably present on other islands as well (Space et al., 2000).

Control: 

Physical: Girdle, pull seedlings.

Chemical: Triclopyr herbicide mixed with an oil diluent (Randall et al., 1996; p. 24)

Additional information:  Report (PDF format) from US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Haleakala Field Station, Hawaii "Plants of Hawaii".
Photos and additional information at University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Information on this prohibited species from the Miami-Dade County [Florida] web site.
Information from the Purdue University NewCROP web site.
Information from the World Agroforestry Centre's AgroForestryTree Database.

Additional online information about Acacia auriculiformis is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Acacia auriculiformis may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Australian Biological Resources Study. 2007. Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra.

Bailey, L. H./Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Macmillan, New York. 1290 pp.

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1980. Voucher specimen #BISH 659658 (Fosberg, F.R. 59791).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1986. Voucher specimen #BISH 508808 (Krauss, N.H. 3050).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1989. Voucher specimen #BISH 634812 (Adelbai, H. P-10197).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1996. Voucher specimen #BISH 649171 (Lorence, D.H. 7876).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1997. Voucher specimen #BISH 697860 (Herbst, D.R. 9826).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1997. Voucher specimen #BISH 697861 (Herbst, D.R. 9826).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1997. Voucher specimen #BISH 697873 (Herbst, D.R. 9826).

Elliot, W. R./Jones, D. L. 1982. Encyclopaedia of Australia plants. Lothian Pub. Co., Melbourne.

Frohlich, Danielle/Lau, Alex. 2007. New plant records from O‘ahu for 2006. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2006. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 96:8-13.

Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. 1988. Flora of the Solomon Islands. Research Bulletin No. 7. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Honiara. 203 pp.

ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre. 2005. International Legume Database & Information Service. Online searchable database.

Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. 2002. Invasive/weedy angiosperms in Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia. In: Invasive species and their management. Micronesica Suppl. 6:61-65.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim. 1998. Checklist of the plants of Pohnpei. Unpublished checklist. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Hawai‘i. 21 pp.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim. 2005. Checklist of the plants of Kosrae. Unpublished checklist. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Hawai‘i. 23 pp.

McCormack, Gerald. 2007. Cook Islands biodiversity and natural heritage. On-line database.

Neal, Marie C. 1965. In Gardens of Hawaii. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Special Publication 50, Bishop Museum Press. 924 pp.

Pallawatta, Nirmalie/Reaser, Jamie K./Gutierrez, Alixis T./eds. 2003. Invasive alien species in south-southeast Asia: national reports and directory of resources. Global Invasive Species Programme. 111 pp.

Randall, J. M./Marinelli, J. (eds.). 1996. Invasive plants: weeds of the global garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Handbook 149. 111 pp.

Raulerson, L. 2006. Checklist of Plants of the Mariana Islands. University of Guam Herbarium Contribution 40:1-69. .

Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie. 1999. Observations on invasive plant species in Micronesia. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. Report to the Pacific Islands Committee, Council of Western State Foresters. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 32 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2000. Observations on invasive plant species in American Samoa.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 51 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2001. Report to the Kingdom of Tonga on invasive plant species of environmental concern.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 78 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of the Cook Islands on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 146 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of Samoa on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 83 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane. 2000. Invasive plant species on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 31 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. 2000. Invasive plant species in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 41 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. 2000. Invasive plant species on Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 43 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar. 2003. Report to the Republic of Palau on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 174 pp.

Swarbrick, J. T. 1997. Environmental weeds and exotic plants on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean: a report to Parks Australia. 101 pp. plus appendix.

U. S. Government. 2006. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (on-line resource).

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Vander Velde, Nancy. 2003. The vascular plants of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Smithsonian Institution, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 503:1-141.