Learn to Identify Common Acacias

Common Acacia features for taxonomy. Image by Liam Engel.

Acacia species, also known as wattle, are iconic Australian trees. Australia boasts over 1000 different Acacia species, which typically bloom in shades of yellow, the blossoms emitting rich, sweet, honey aromas. Acacia trees are one of the most common entheogenic trees in Australia.

The ever-growing interest in ethnobotany is leading more people to these trees, curious as to which Acacia’s contain the tryptamine, DMT – but few people know what an active Acacia looks like, let alone which Acacia contains the most DMT. At the same time, wild harvesting is threatening vulnerable Acacia species. Ethnobotanical education around these special trees is much in need, and we hope this resource will help fill some of these knowledge gaps.

Unlike many threatened DMT-containing Acacia, the three species coved in this guide are common and show the hallmarks of active Acacia; however, their active alkaloids may be reduced with the season and variation in the species.

Friend of EGA, ethnobotanist and founder of The Mescaline Garden, Dr Liam Engel has helped us develop this unique resource by reviewing the current literature and community knowledge around Acacia acuminata, A. floribunda and A. longifolia. The reference guide includes species and habitat descriptions, history, pharmacology and other safety and legal issues. This beautiful, highly visual guide includes images and collaborative input from the EGA community and contains photos from JJ, Communacacian, Tony Davey, Jonathan Carmichael and Liam himself.

If you were having trouble identifying Acacia in the park, in a friend's garden or beyond, this resource should be an essential stepping stone in this journey.

Liam is also responsible for this EGA presentation on the Acacia conservation project, Conseracacian.

If you find this resource helpful, please support EGA so we can make more!