Candelabra Wattle, Soap wattle
Acacia colei

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. A hexaploid plant. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It occurs in Australia in red sands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), India, Niger, Sahel, West Africa

How it is used for food

The green seeds are roasted within the pods. The ripe seeds are ground to make flour.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum

How it is grown

Seeds can be stored. The seed are highly nutritious having 21% protein, 10% fat and 57% carbohydrate. Plants flower April to July in the southern hemisphere and fruit September to October.

Its other names

Local names

Alerrey, Aliriya, Alkarta, Alkart, Alyari, Cole’s wattle, Kalkardi, Pintupi

Synonyms

Acacia holosericea;