Wirilda, Swamp Wattle
Acacia retinodes

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 plant. It occurs naturally in the cooler parts of Australia. It grows on light to medium soils. It requires well drained soils and a sunny position although it can stand light shade. It is drought and frost resistant. It can grow in arid places. They grow where the minimum temperature is 3-5°C. In Tasmania they occur on Flinders Island. It can tolerate short periods of being in waterlogged soils. It can tolerate some salt. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Azores, Bolivia, Britain, Caucasus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Tasmania (country/location of origin), Tunisia, USA, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The pods are eaten. The seeds are eaten. They can be used to make flour for breads, cakes, pastries and desserts.

Edible parts

Seeds, flowers, pods, gum

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 grows quickly. Flowers are produced November to January. Trees do not live a long time.

Its other names

Local names

Keo son, Silver Wattle

Synonyms

Acacia crassiuscula Wendl.; Acacia provincialis A. Camus; Acacia rostellifera sensu auct.; Acacia floribunda sensu auct.; Acacia longissima Chopinet; Racosperma retinodes (Schltdl.) Pedley;