Black Wattle
Callicoma serratifolia
Family: Cunoniaceae
What it is like
Callicoma serratifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 6
Where it is found
Lighter types of rainforest, or moister Eucalyptus forests. Damp places along the sides of streams.
Australia - Queensland and New South Wales.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The plant can be used for hedging. The wood is used in making wattle and daub housing.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Plants are tolerant of wet soils. In Australian gardens this species prefers a shady position and a humus-rich soil. This species tolerates temperatures down to about -7°c in Australian gardens, though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers that often do not fully ripen new growth and our longer colder and wetter winters. One report says that it can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c and so it might succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of the country, though generally it requires cold greenhouse treatment in Britain. A very ornamental plant.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist