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Acacia stricta

(Andr.) Willd.

Hop Wattle, Straight Wattle

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(c) Reiner Richter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Reiner Richter

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(c) David, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by David

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Chris Ecroyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Ecroyd

Acacia stricta (hop wattle, straight wattle) is a perennial tree. The plant is adaptable to most soils, tolerating full sun or partial to complete shade. Tolerates drought conditions and moderately salty winds. The shrub is useful in planting, as it is not too dense and can be used for screening other plants. The plant grows up to 2-4m depending on conditions.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The seeds are eaten green.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are eaten green.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in south eastern parts of Australia. It prefers light to heavy soils. It requires an open sunny position. It needs reasonably good rainfall. It is frost resistant. It needs fairly well drained soils. In Tasmania it is common and widespread in pastures and dry places. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Australia*, New Zealand, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

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 also be grown from cuttings.

Production

It grows quickly. Flowering is normally May to October.

Notes

There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.

References (10)

  • Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 34
  • Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 47
  • Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 48
  • Curtis, W.M., 1956, The Students Flora of Tasmania Vol 1 p 123
  • Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 118
Show all 10 references
  • Grieg, D., 2002, A photographic guide to Wildflowers of South-eastern Australia. New Holland. p 67
  • ILDIS Legumes of the World http:www;ildis.org/Legume/Web
  • Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 42
  • Sp. pl. 4(2):1052. 1806
  • Whiting, J. et al, 2004, Tasmania's Natural Flora. Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee PO Box 194, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia 7315 p 214

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