DMT is found in over 50 species of Australian Acacia (wattle), Australia’s national floral emblem, though the compound occurs at relatively low concentrations of 0.5–1.5%. This surprising botanical fact has significant implications for researchers, conservationists, and law enforcement alike. Consequently, understanding which plants contain DMT, how much they contain, and the legal landscape surrounding them is essential for anyone exploring this topic in Australia.

The Primary Source: Australian Acacia (Wattle)

Australia’s native Acacia genus is one of the most widespread plant groups in the country, with over 1,000 species and Western Australia alone hosting 894 natural species. The three psychotropic alkaloids found in Acacia are NMT, DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. Critically, however, not every wattle tree contains these compounds. Just as not all mushrooms are magic, the presence and concentration of DMT varies enormously between species and even between individual plants.

A 2024 study screened 104 plant samples representing 79 Acacia species. The findings determined 51 DMT-containing species, 41 of which were previously unknown to contain the psychedelic. This research dramatically expanded the known range of DMT-producing Acacia in Australia.

Documented DMT-Containing Species

Several Australian Acacia species have well-documented alkaloid content:

• Acacia maidenii: Contains approximately 0.6% NMT and DMT in a 2:3 ratio in the stem bark, with both present in leaves. One source reports up to 0.7% DMT and NMT, usually in younger trees
• Acacia obtusifolia: Native to Australia, grows 1.5 to 8 meters. Contains tryptamine, DMT, NMT, and other tryptamines, with 0.4–0.5% in dried bark and 0.07% in branch tips. Some sources have also found 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenine
• Acacia acuminata: Found in Western Australia, contains tryptamines including DMT, with 1–2% in bark
• Acacia longifolia: Contains tryptamine in bark and leaves, 0.2% DMT in plant, and phenylethylamine in flowers
• Acacia phlebophylla: Contains 0.3% DMT in leaf and NMT
• Acacia podalyriaefolia: Contains 0.5% to 2% DMT in fresh bark, with phenethylamine and trace amounts of other compounds
• Acacia confusa: While native to Taiwan, this species is referenced in Australian ethnobotanical discussions and contains large amounts of DMT and NMT in the root bark

Beyond Acacia: Other Australian Sources

While Acacia is the dominant source, DMT has also been found in other Australian plants. Phalaris aquatica (Harding grass), an introduced pasture species, contains DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. Research from Victoria found that pasture collected after a case of sudden death neurological (SDN) syndrome had elevated levels of 5-MeO-DMT and slightly elevated DMT compared with other collections. The alkaloid content in Phalaris varies widely depending on environmental conditions, with shading increasing alkaloid content but decreasing total plant yield.

The Concentration Reality: Why “Containing DMT” Is Not Enough

A critical distinction exists between a plant containing DMT and a plant containing enough DMT to be practically useful. Wattle typically contains only 0.5–1.5% DMT. This means extracting even a small amount requires processing large quantities of plant material.

The concentration also exhibits substantial variability. Empirical sampling reveals up to tenfold differences in DMT content within species, attributable to genetic and environmental factors. Some populations of Acacia obtusifolia “have a very variable composition and sometimes lack tryptamines entirely”. This unpredictability makes any extraction attempt unreliable.

The Scientific Research: Mapping Australia’s DMT Resources

Australian researchers are actively investigating the country’s DMT-containing flora. Dr Mitchell Low from NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University is leading a study testing 855 species of Australian wattle for their psychedelic properties, including DMT and other compounds. The study is expected to take five years.

“Most of them haven’t been tested,” says Dr Low. “We know the morphology of the species, but the chemical composition is still unknown.” In some of the wattle samples tested so far, the DMT is more potent than the Amazonian plants traditionally associated with the compound.

Dr Kelly Shepherd from the WA Herbarium conducted a pilot study screening phyllodes from specimens of 148 different Acacia species. The research found that preserved herbarium specimens provided an adequate substitute to identify and characterise psychoactive substances.

The Conservation Concern

The presence of DMT in Australian wattle has created a conservation challenge. The first law enforcement attendance at a DMT clandestine extraction laboratory in Western Australia occurred in 2008. Since then, detection of this type of lab has steadily increased to the point where they are now the most frequently attended in WA.

DMT is typically extracted from the bark of locally occurring wattle trees. “From a conservation angle, ringbarking trees kills them,” notes Dr Shepherd. “Even before you get to extracting an A-class drug, damaging native flora is an offence in itself.”

Entheogenesis Australis has developed a reference guide to common wattles, noting that “wild harvesting is threatening vulnerable Acacia species”. The organisation emphasises that “ethnobotanical education around these special trees is much in need.”

The Legal Status: Schedule 9 Prohibition

Despite its natural occurrence in Australian flora, DMT is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Australian Poisons Standard. This classification makes its possession, use, manufacture, supply, and importation illegal across every state and territory.

In New South Wales, a DMT authority may be issued for medical or scientific research, analysis, teaching, or training purposes. This authority allows individuals or classes of persons within a facility to lawfully possess, manufacture, supply, or administer prohibited drugs or cultivate prohibited plants. Such authorities are valid for three years and require secure storage and diversion prevention measures.

Conclusion

DMT is found in over 50 species of Australian Acacia, the iconic wattle trees that serve as the country’s national floral emblem. The concentration is generally low at 0.5–1.5%, and varies significantly between species and individual plants. Beyond Acacia, Phalaris aquatica also contains DMT and 5-MeO-DMT.

Australian researchers continue to map the country’s DMT resources, with studies screening hundreds of Acacia species for psychoactive compounds. However, the legal status of DMT remains firmly Schedule 9, and unauthorised extraction or possession carries severe penalties. The scientific exploration of Australia’s botanical riches continues, but it must do so within the boundaries of the law.