East side of Magnolia next to what used to be Yankee Pier.

SW corner of parking lot at Ward and Magnolia. Taken down for parking lot construction fall 2015.

Magnolia and King Taken down for landscape renovation fall 2015

Blackwood acacia is an evergreen tree native to eastern Australia that is very commonly planted in the San Francisco Bay area and Larkspur has many. As those pictured here illustrate, it becomes a medium to large tree with dense foliage producing dark shade. It’s a species that has some pros and cons. On the plus side it  tolerates drought, wind, heat and poor soil. On the minus side it has brittle branches, roots that sprout easily, is subject to root disease if grown in moist soil in the summer and produces lots of litter from copious seed pods.

The species is botanically interesting because what appear to be leaves are actually phyllodes. Feathery, true leaves are only seen on seedlings and root sprouts.

true leaves and phyllodes

Root sprouting is a common occurrence.