North Coast Wattle
Acacia leptocarpa
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 tropical plant. A native plant of Australia and Papua New Guinea. It will grow on most soils. It prefers a sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It is often near coasts or streams. It can be on seasonally flooded plains. In Papua New Guinea it occurs up to 30 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The gum is eaten.
The gum is used as food in Australia but it is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.
Edible parts
Gum
How it is grown
It is grown from seed. Seed needs 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. Flowering is in June to September and pods form from August to October. It benefits from watering in the dry season.
Its other names
Local names
Mangaar Mangal