Mount Morgan Wattle
Acacia podalyriifolia

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 plant. It occurs naturally in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It prefers light to medium soils but will grow on almost any soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is a little drought and frost tolerant. It can be damaged by frost while young. It may need extra water in dry periods. It will grow from tropical to temperate climates. It needs good drainage. It needs a rainfall above 50 mm per year. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Zealand, Reunion, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flowers can be fried and eaten. They are mixed with a light batter and made into fritters. These can be served with sugar and whipped cream.

Edible parts

Flowers, 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. If the seed are grown in a nursery the seeds grow quickly but the plants suffer a set back when transplanted. It can be heavily pruned after flowering to maintain a bushy growth pattern. It develops sooty mould in humid areas.

It grows quickly. Flowering is July to October in Australia and pods occur October to November. It only lives for 10-15 years.

Its other names

Local names

Pearl acacia, Queensland Silver Wattle

Synonyms

Acacia podalyriaefolia A. Cunn.; Acacia podalyriifolia Loudon; Racosperma podalyriifolium (G. Don) Pedley;