Sydney Golden Wattle, Acacia
Acacia longifolia

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late winter, Mid winter. Form: Rounded.

Acacia longifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 9 m (29ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in March. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 9

Where it is found

Sandy soils mainly by the coast.

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Southern Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Flowers - cooked. Rich in pollen, they are often used in fritters. The flowers have a violet-like fragrance. Seed - roasted. Starchy. Rather small and fiddly to gather. Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain approx 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated which is a distinct health advantage although it presents storage problems as such fats readily oxidise. The mean total carbohydrate content of 55.8 + 13.7% is lower than that of lentils, but higher than that of soybeans while the mean fibre content of 32.3 + 14.3% is higher than that of other legumes such as lentils with a level of 11.7%. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480+270 kJ per 100g. Wattle seeds are low glycaemic index foods. The starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise. Seedpods - roasted. The pods are up to 10cm long.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Seedpod: things such as Okra, French and Runner beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers. A green dye is obtained from the seed pods. The extensive root system of this plant helps to prevent soil erosion. It is used on sandy soils and steep banks. Trees are planted as a screen in Australia. This species is often grown as a rootstock for grafting lime-intolerant members of the genus. Wood - pale, tough.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Rootstock: Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Pest tolerant, Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a sandy loam and a very sunny position.. Succeeds in any good garden soil that is not excessively limey. This species is fairly lime-tolerant. Succeeds in a hot dry position and in poor soils. A fairly wind resistant tree, growing well in maritime areas. Tolerates some salt in the soil. Hardy to about -10°c for short periods, it can be grown outdoors in many of the milder areas of the country though, even in Cornwall, it is liable to be cut back to the ground in excessively cold winters. It can resprout from the base. Tasmanian provenances are the hardiest forms in British gardens. Dislikes root disturbance. A very ornamental plant. The flowers are scented of violets. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Special Features:Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse. Stored seed should be scarified, pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in a warm greenhouse in March. The seed germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 25°c. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Fair percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Hedge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Mimosa longifolia.