Ball wattle
Acacia latescens
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 and grows in the northern tips of Australia. It often grows under larger trees. It needs well drained soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The gum is eaten.
Edible parts
Gum, sap
How it is grown
It is grown from seed.
Flowers are produced in April to June and pods in July to September.