Raspberry jam wattle
Acacia acuminata
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
A temperate plant. It prefers light well drained soils. It does best in sunny positions. It can withstand drought and frost. It grows naturally in semi-arid woodlands in Western Australia. It can grow in arid places. It can grow on limestone soils. They can be alkaline. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 200-1,100 mm. It grows below 375 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia (country/location of origin), Iran, Israel, Mediterranean, Middle East, South Africa
How it is used for food
The gum is edible. Ripe seeds are also cooked and eaten. The gum can be mixed with water and stored to be used like honey.
Edible parts
Gum, seeds
How it is grown
It is grown from seed. Seed needs to be treated first to enable it to grow. Normally this is by putting the seeds in very hot water and letting the water cool down overnight then planting the seeds immediately.
Trees grow quickly. They flower from July to October following rains.
Its other names
Local names
Raspberry Jam Wood