Acacia umbellata
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in northern Australia in open forest. It must have good drainage. It often occurs on poorer gravely loams and sandstone country.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten. The hard black seeds are crushed into flour and water added before cooking as flat cakes.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
It is grown from seed. The seed need treatment to break the hard seed coat. Normally this is by putting the seeds in very hot water and letting the water cool down overnight then planting the seeds immediately.
It is a hardy fast growing plant. Flowers occur periodically November to March or March to July. Fruiting can occur throughout the year but often July to September. Flowers and ripe pods can be found on the one tree at the same time.