Murray’s wattle, Colony wattle
Acacia murrayana

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. Seeds 20% protein, 5 % fat and 64% carbohydrate. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in arid and desert areas in Western Australia. It grows in sandhill country. It requires a sunny position. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in hot places. It can survive fires. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seeds are softened by soaking in water, pounded to a paste then eaten raw. They can also be eaten green after roasting in the pod. An edible grub occurs in the roots and branches. The white gum is eaten. The mature seeds have also been roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.

Edible parts

Seeds, grub, gum

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. It can be pruned after flowering.

The edible insect larvae (Bardie grub) is pulled out of the bored holes using a hooked twig. The white gum normally exudes from sites of insect damage.

Its other names

Local names

Colony wattle, Sandplain wattle, Tjuntjula, Utjanypa

Synonyms

Acacia jennerae;