MIMOSACEAE

Silver Wattle

 

5.0m - 30.0m (500-3000cm) 

Bright yellow, prolific. Globular flower heads in racemes or panicles. 

Seed pods 

Small to medium tree with growth varying with conditions 

 

Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Riparian; Wet Eucalypt Forest 

Tolerates a wide range of soils, except poorly drained or permanently wet soils. Best growth on moist, fertile sites. Tolerates strong winds, frost and snow. 

Dry; Exposed; Moist; Rocky; Windy 

Hardy 

Clay; Fertile; Loam; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained 

A hardy, widespread species. Very fast growing. Pioneer species, good "nurse" plant to shelter other species. Fixes nitrogen. Fire retardant. Prone to attack by gall rusts, caterpillars and borers. Foliage is palatable to stock. Used for cut flower and foliage industry. Timber used for furniture, pulp. Bark tannin can be used for tanning. Fast-burning firewood, but poor fuel compared to other wattles. Establishes well from direct seeding. Natural regeneration common from seed or suckers. Excellent wildlife habitat. Susceptible to browsing by hares and rabbits. Koori (mainland) use: The wood was used for the handles of stone axes, with the gum used to fasten the head to the handle. The gum was eaten, or dissolved in water with nectar to make a sweet drink.Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Not suitable below powerlines. 

Seeds drop soon after they turn brown. produces large crops every 2-3 years 

Boiling water 

Long 

45-84 

Usually high viability and very long storage life. Seed may persist in soil for 50 years. 

2-4 weeks 

Yes 

 

 

 

Most Acacias are readily propagated by seed. Cuttings are possible with "phyllode bearing" Acacias, more so than with "feathery leaved" species.