Golden wattle, Australian Golden Wattle
Acacia pycnantha

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 warm temperate plant. It occurs naturally in eastern Australia. It prefers shallow sandy soils. It is drought resistant but frost tender when young. It will grow in part shade or full sun. They do not suit high altitudes or very wet conditions. Naturally it grew in areas with a rainfall of 35-70 mm but now grows in areas with rainfall up to 2,280 mm. It suits hot dry areas. It can grow in arid places. It grows between 1,450-2,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), East Africa, East Timor, Europe, France, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North Africa, Portugal, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Tasmania, Timor-Leste, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten. The gum is eaten. The nectar from the flowers is used for a drink.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum, flower nectar

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. Seed can be sown directly in the field. It can also be grown from cuttings.

Trees grow quickly. They are short lived lasting 10-15 years. The pods open, dropping the seed to the ground.

Its other names

Local names

Karrank, Tunline

Synonyms

Acacia petiolaris Lehm.;