Bramble wattle, Gundabluey
Acacia victoriae

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. It has anticancer properties. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A native plant of Australia. It prefers medium to heavy soils. It can grown in limestone and salty areas. It suits an open sunny position but can grow in part shade. It is drought and frost resistant. It suits arid areas but will grow in cooler moist climates. It occurs as far north as 17° S latitude. It occurs in areas with a rainfall from 130 to 250 mm per year but also in areas with 2,000 mm rainfall. Young plants can survive fires. Roots can extend deeply (27 m) into the soil and this plant often indicates underground water. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Iran, Israel, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan

How it is used for food

When seeds are fully formed but still green the pods are lightly roasted and the seeds eaten. The mature seeds can be used as an emergency food after roasting then grinding to a paste with water and cooking as a damper. It can be used in breads, biscuits, pasta, ice cream and made into syrup. Edible grubs are found in the roots. The white gum is also eaten. The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute called wattleccino.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum, seeds - coffee

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 forms root suckers easily.

Plants grow fairly quickly flowering in 2 years. It flowers in spring regardless of the timing of the rain. They produce a heavy and uniform seed crop. Plants last for about 10 years.

Its other names

Local names

Aliti, Atunpa, Elegant wattle, Ngatuppa, Prickly wattle

Synonyms

Acacia sentis F. Muell.; Racosperma victorae (Benth.) Pedley;