Marblewood - profile

Scientific name: Acacia bakeri 
 Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Description

Marblewood is a tree of 5 – 30 m with wrinkled bark and a rounded canopy that is much darker and denser than that of most wattles. Its curved leaves are broad and dark green, with three to four prominent longitudinal veins, and thickened veins around the edges. The flower heads are small, round, and pale or golden yellow, and are followed by large bunches of flat, brown seed-pods containing several black seeds.

Location and habitat

Distribution
 Restricted to coastal south-east Queensland and north-east NSW, where it occurs north from Mullumbimby. Most plants are on private property.

• In or near lowland subtropical rainforest, in adjacent eucalypt forest and in regrowth of both. Usually occurs in the understorey but may occur as a large canopy tree.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Northern Rivers

Threats

• Loss of habitat through land development and agriculture.
• Invasion by weeds, particularly Lantana.
• Fire, which kills adult trees and encourages weed growth.
• Visitor impacts in high use areas.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 2 priority actions to help recover the Marblewood in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Support local Landcare groups and bush regeneration teams.
• Control fire in areas of known or potential habitat.
• Ensure walking tracks in tourist areas do not disturb known habitat and stay on established tracks in rainforest areas.
• Assist in control and removal of weeds from rainforest areas.
• Protect areas of rainforest and adjoining eucalypt forest from clearing and development.

References

• NSW NPWS (2002). Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour, NSW.
• NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Acacia bakeri (a tree) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.