Bush bean, Mullan wattle
Acacia maconochieana
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 on heavy alkaline soils in the hot semiarid and sub-humid tropics. It can tolerate salinity and waterlogging. It grows in low lying areas in north Australia. It can tolerate frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten. They are also ground up into flour then cooked and eaten as flat bread.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. They will grow without hot water treatment. They can be soaked in cold water.
It is fast growing and long lived.