Manna wattle, Gum Wattle
Acacia microbotrya
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. A native of south west Western Australia. It occurs in sandy loams. It needs well drained sites. It prefers open sunny positions. It is drought resistant. It could be damaged by frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seeds are pounded to make flour which is cooked in dampers. The gum is sweet and edible.
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 is fast growing in warmer areas. The tree produces large quantities of edible gum in dry seasons. It can be stored for later use. The tree flowers in April to September. It does best with a rainfall over 38 mm.