Blackwood
| Common name: | Australian Blackwood, Wattle or Acacia. |
| Botanical name: | Acacia melanoxylon |
| Family: | Leguminosae |
| Origin: | Native to south-eastern Australia. |
| Description: | An evergreen wattle with dense foliage, balls of cream flowers and twisted pods. Height: 20 m. |
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| Uses: | Gum arabic, derived from acacia (usually A. senegal), is used in the printing trade, and as a binding agent in the making of some medications. Gum arabic is also commonly used as a food additive. Because of its excellent timber properties, Australian blackwoods are increasingly being planted in New Zealand. Blackwood is used in making furniture, boats, musical instruments, etc. |
| Allergens: | The allergens appear to be 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, acamelin, and melacacidin (in heartwood). |
| Allergy: | Hand dermatitishas been reported after contact with both the wood and gum arabic. Sawdust is a problem, particularly in furniture makers. Hayfever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and other respiratory problems are of increasing concern. The prevalence of allergy to acacias, as shown in a number of Australian and Asian studies, is increasing. |
| Cross reactions: | Meranti (Shorea spp.) and some kinds of Mahogany. |
| Other information: | |
| Patch test: |
References
- Baratawidjaja IR, Baratawidjaja PP, Darwis A, et al. Prevalence of allergic sensitization to regional inhalants among allergic patients in Jakarta, Indonesia. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 1999 Mar;17(1):9-12.
- Sam CK, Kesavan-Padmaja, Liam CK, et al. A study of pollen prevalence in relation to pollen allergy in Malaysian asthmatics. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 1998 Mar;16(1):1-4.
- Wood-Baker R, Markos J. Occupational asthma due to blackwood (Acacia Melanoxylon). Aust N Z J Med 1997 Aug;27(4):452-3.
- De Zotti R, Gubian F. Asthma and rhinitis in wooding workers. Allergy Asthma Proc 1996 Jul-Aug;17(4):199-203.
- Correia O, Barros MA, Mesquita-Guimaraes J. Airborne contact dermatitis from the woods Acacia melanoxylon and Entandophragma cylindricum. Contact Dermatitis 1992 Nov;27(5):343-4.
- Ariano R, Panzani RC, Amedeo J. Pollen allergy to mimosa (Acacia floribunda) in a Mediterranean area: an occupational disease. Ann Allergy 1991 Mar;66(3):253-6.
- Hausen BM, Bruhn G, Tilsley DA. Contact allergy to Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon R.Br.): isolation and identification of new hydroxyflavan sensitizers. Contact Dermatitis 1990 Jul;23(1):33-9.
- Clarke PS. Allergic reactions to blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) Med J Aust 1989 Feb 20;150(4):222-3.
- Anderson DM. Evidence for the safety of gum arabic (Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.) as a food additive--a brief review. Food Addit Contam 1986 Jul-Sep;3(3):225-3
- Howlett BJ, Hill DJ, Knox RB. Cross-reactivity between Acacia (wattle) and rye grass pollen allergens. Detection of allergens in Acacia (wattle) pollen. Clin Allergy 1982 May;12(3):259-68.
- Lovell CR.1993, Plants and the Skin, Blackwell, Oxford.
- Mitchell JC, Rook A, 1979, Botanical Dermatology, Plants and Plant products injurious to the skin, Greengrass, Vancouver.