Coast wattle, Sydney golden wattle
Acacia longifolia

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 subtropical and temperate plant. It occurs naturally in Australia in southern regions. It prefers a well drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It can resist drought and frost. It is subject to insect attack and wind damage. It does well in moist acid soils. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Britain, Brazil, Caribbean, Colombia, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Europe, France, Haiti, India, Indochina, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North America, Portugal, Reunion, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Spain, St Helena, Tasmania (country/location of origin), Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten. The green seeds are steamed in the pod. The gum is edible. An edible grub often occurs in the roots.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum, grub, flowers, pods

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 usually very fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Acacia trinervis, Keo la-dai, Golden Rods, Sallow Wattle

Synonyms

Acacia intertexta DC.; Mimosa longifolia Andrews; Racosperma longifolium (Andrews) C.Martius;