Strap wattle, Candelabra wattle
Acacia holosericea

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. Parts of this plant are used as medicine. It is a tetraploid plant sometimes confused with A. colei. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Kimberleys in Western Australia and also in Queensland. It is often along the edges of streams. It is a tropical plant but adapts to sub tropical places. It is damaged by drought and frost. It often starts the re-growth when an area is cleared. It needs a sunny position. It grows in areas with annual rainfall between 230-2250 mm. It usually grows below 300 m above sea level. It grows in areas with annual average temperatures between 20°-29°C. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Burkina Faso, India, Indochina, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sudan, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten. The seeds are ground into flour then cooked as flat bread. The roots of young plants are roasted and eaten. The clear gum can also be eaten.

It is used for food in Australia but it is not known to be eaten in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum, roots

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. The 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. Plants can be pruned to control the straggly growth. To avoid fungal growth on the leaves, spacing and placement should be arranged to allow ample air movement.

It is a fast growing plant. Plants flower from June to August and produce pods from July to October. Plants may only last 5-6 years. Seeds are separated from the pods by winnowing in the wind.

Its other names

Local names

Keo la-sim, Keo to, Silky wattle, Silver-leaved wattle, Soap Bush, Velvet wattle

Synonyms

Racosperma holosericeum (G. Don) Pedley; Acacia holosericea A. Cunn. ex G. Don var. glabrata Maiden; Acacia holosericea A. Cunn. ex G. Don var. multispica Domin; Acacia holosericea A. Cunn. ex G. Don var. neurocarpa (Hook.) Domin; Acacia neurocarpa A. Cunn. ex Hook.;