Sydney green wattle
Acacia decurrens

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. This one has spread in an uncontrolled manner in South Africa. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It occurs naturally in Eastern Australia. It has been introduced to Tasmania. It prefers medium soils and a protected position. It is drought and frost resistant. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 450-3,600 m above sea level. It is frost tender while young. Because of its showy appearance and use as firewood it has been introduced to other countries. It suits warm temperate places. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-10. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Brazil, Britain, Cameroon, Caribbean, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Reunion, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tasmania, USA, Venezuela, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The gum is eaten. The leaves have been used for tea.

Edible parts

Gum, leaves - tea, seeds

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 is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Akasia, Early Black Wattle, Green Wattle, Queen Wattle, Seemai velam pattai

Synonyms

Acacia normalis; Acacia doratoxylon Cunn. var. doratoxylon; Mimosa decurrens Donn.; Mimosa decurrens Wendl.; Racosperma decurrens (Willd.) Pedley;