Sickle-leaf wattle, Pindan wattle
Acacia tumida
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 occurs in northern Australia. It is often along stream banks. It needs a sunny position. The soil needs to be well drained. It benefits by watering in dry periods. It is grown in the Sahel in Africa. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), East Africa, Kenya, Sahel
How it is used for food
The young pods are steamed and the seeds eaten. (The seeds cause flatulence and bad breath.) The seeds especially the mature seeds may contain some poisonous substance. Their use as food is disputed in some areas. In some areas the mature seeds are pounded into flour mixed with water and eaten as a paste. The gum is eaten.
Edible parts
Seeds, gum
How it is grown
It is grown from seed. It can be cultivated by root suckers.
It is a fast growing plant. Flowering occurs in Australia from April to August and fruiting from September to October.
Its other names
Local names
Pindon wattle, Spear wattle, Walgali, Wongai, Wongayi