Hop Wattle, Straight Wattle
Acacia stricta
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 temperate plant. It grows naturally in south eastern parts of Australia. It prefers light to heavy soils. It requires an open sunny position. It needs reasonably good rainfall. It is frost resistant. It needs fairly well drained soils. In Tasmania it is common and widespread in pastures and dry places. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten green.
Edible parts
Seeds
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 also be grown from cuttings.
It grows quickly. Flowering is normally May to October.