Sweet scented wattle
Acacia suaveolens
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 warm temperate and subtropical plant. It occurs naturally in south eastern Australia. It prefers sandy soils. It does best in an open sunny position but can grow in light shade. It is drought and frost resistant. It grows well in coastal positions but cannot tolerate salt spray. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The young seeds are steamed and eaten. The pods are not eaten, The seeds can be cooked in the pod then removed. The leaves have been used as tea. They can be used fresh or dried.
Edible parts
Seeds, leaves - tea
How it is grown
It is grown from seed. The seed need 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. It can be pruned after flowering. It can be grown from cuttings.