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Acacia confusa grows to be a medium-large tree forming a fairly typical umbrella crown when in the open. Trees can reach up to 20m+ and the trunk can obtain diameters of a little over 1m. Stems are rarely straight, often many branched to form a curved cannot above.

The Leaf - Back To Top

The Stem - Back To Top

Stems of Acacia confusa are smooth, without spines. The bark is up to 1cm thick and often red-pink inside with yellow inner bark on younger stems. Many stems reach from as low as the ground to make either a multi trunked tree or a solitary tree, both are common. Stems will obtain little mor than 1m in diameter with age.

The Flower - Back To Top

The Fruit - Back To Top

The Seed - Back To Top

3. Cultivation - Back To Top

Preferred Climate - Back To Top

Acacia confusa is from SE Asia, Taiwan, Philippines, Southern China & Southern Japan. It prefers semi tropical to tropical situations. In Taiwan they grow island wide up to about 2,000m. This covers true tropical forests, seasonal monsoon type forests, rainforests and can withstand down to 1-2C. In the south of Taiwan it gets a very dry season, and grows mostly in or around mountains (probably more due to human sprawl rather than from natural barriers. There can be as long as 6 months without rain, while in the wet season can rain non-stop for over a month. Some mountain areas receive some of the heaviest rains known, especially during larger typhoons.

Flowering and Fruiting Season - Back To Top

Temperature - Back To Top

In Taiwan we see trees growing in areas known to reach just above freezing in the higher mountains. They take on a very different growth habit at these elevations and become shorter and more wiry, compared to the large thick trunked tree with massive crowns growing in warmer areas. More typical they receive cool nights in winter (down to 10-15C) and warm-hot days (20-30C). In summer, when its wet, they typically get 20C+ nights and 25-38C days

Water - Back To Top

In the wild, or cultivated in the ground, they will send out large roots for both stability and in search of permanent water. As a container plant, let slightly dry out between watering, or keep slightly moist.

Light - Back To Top

Acacia confuse grows as a dominating canopy tree species in its natural range, and thus likes to have a good deal of sun. It can grow alright in semi shade, but will be far less bushy and lush. Dark cold situations are likely the worst.

Nutrition - Back To Top

Pruning - Back To Top

Prune as you see fit, they naturally grow tall and multi branched looking for the canopy. Out in the open they will naturally take on a oval-mushroom shape.

Propagation Methods - Back To Top

Seeds are by far the most reliable. Cuttings are very difficult with most Acacia. Luckily, Acacia confusa produces lots of seeds and are easy to germinate. You can sow either directly into a seedling mix and keep moist, or you can scarify the seeds. You can rough up the seed coat with sandpaper, scratch it with a knife etc and direct sow. Soaking also works well, and is our preferred method. Place seed in hot water and let sit for around 12 hours. When you see the seeds start to swell, sow them.

Sow seeds about 1cm deep into your seedling mix. Keep moist, humid and avoid stagnating the air. Germinating takes 1-10 weeks, usually very fast if soaked. Keep between 20 and 30C.

4. Other Related Topics - Back To Top

Uses of - Back To Top

As a cover for shade crops: Acacia confusa is sometimes used in mountain side farms as a shade provider for more light sensitive crops such as birds nest fern and coffee. It should be noted that Acacia confusa has no special benefits to these species, at least we don't know of any, and they are simply used because they are the species dominating the land that is to be planted. Other tree species are also used if they happen to dominate. Also, due to chemicals in Acacia confusa, it makes it hard for new vegetation to germinate, thus helping reduce weeds. We are not sure if it has any negative impact on large growing plants like coffee.

As a tannin: The wood and bark are very rich in tannins. Tannins, obtained from many species including Acacia, are used to dye and stain things. Hides are usualyl tanned with tannins. We are not aware of anyone specifically using A. confusa for tannin extraction, but it is certainly a good candidate.

As a DMT source: The bark, especially the older thicker trunk and larger root bark, are very rich in the hallucinogenic substance DMT. It is an effective ingredient for Ayahuasca.

Acacia confusa is in no way considered edible.

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Acacia confusa Plant Guide

Taiwanese Acacia

Table of Contents

1. Classification

2. Morphology

3. Cultivation

4. Other Topics

1. Classification & Taxonomy - Back To Top

Botanical Description of Areca catechu - Back To Top

Cultivars & Varieties - Back To Top

2. Morphology - Back To Top

Plant Habit & Growth Form - Back To Top