Snake wood
Acacia xiphophylla
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 more common in tropical northern Australia. It probably needs well drained soil and plenty of sunlight. It tends to grow as a clump of trees together in creek beds, often on red soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten. The gum is eaten. The gum can be stored.
Edible parts
Seeds, gum
How it is grown
It is grown from seed.
It is slow growing and long lived.