Europe and the Antartic are the two continents, where acacia are not endemic. Profiting from the mild climate of the Mediterranean countries like France, Italy, Spain and Portugal acacia have been introduced 200 years ago and thrive. Some have even become local invaders.

To find out which species have been localised and what economic value they bring to the area, I visited Southern France in February 2005. It is at this time of the year that most acacia bloom naturally. And the French Tourist Industry has started to market the beauty of the Mimosa with all kind of Festivals, corsos, excursions and other attractions.

What I found during that study trip is documented in the following chapters:

Introduction of acacias to Southern France

Economic value of acacia in France

Cut flowers

Perfumes and soaps

Trees and pots

Pepinieres Cavatore

Festivals                                    

                                         Bormes-les.-Mimosas
                                                         9.2.05

During the Acacia 2006 in Melbourne I gave a lecture on the
Australian Acacias in Europe

Some people think that Robinia is an acacia. Some of its characteristics resemble acacia trees, but especially the flower is totally different. Therefore its scientific name is Robinia pseudoacacia.