Golden wreath wattle
Acacia saligna

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 become a weed in South Africa. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It occurs in coastal areas of Western Australia. It will grow on calcareous or sandy soils. It prefers light to medium soils. It requires an open sunny position. It is drought resistant and frost tolerant. It can stand some salting. It grows well in subtropical regions. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 125-1,200 m above sea level. It grows below 300 m above sea level. It is wind resistant. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Wittunga Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Cyprus, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Greece, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten. They are crushed to flour.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum

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 can be grown from cuttings. Trees re-sprout from the base when cut down.

It is usually fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Blue-leaf wattle, Goudwilger, Keo lieu, Orange Wattle, Port Jackson wattle, Weeping wattle

Synonyms

Acacia cyanophylla Lindl.; Mimosa saligna Labill.; Racosperma saligna (Labill.) Pedley;