Hello all,

I the bush again I bumped into an acacia. Otherwise healthy and happy, I did notice a strange occurrence on a set of phyllodes. There was a red discoloration starting from the stem connected section that slightly faded into the normal phyllode's green. The red resembled the inner red tannins as found in the inner bark.

First I'd like to ask if this is in any way normal for an acacia to do? I understand that the phyllodes are actually photosynthetic extensions of the branch, and whilst I'm not sure on what environmental/biological factors are involved for something like this to happen. Could this be tannings leaking into the phyllode?

If so does can this mean that any present alkaloids might be making their way into the phyllodes?

Any help on understanding this mystery would be very helpful as I'm hoping this in turn will allow for phyllode compound rich extraction without having to strip barks and harm these beautiful trees.

Thanks, and PEACE.