Acacia umbellata
A. Cunn. ex Benth.
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(c) Annie H., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Annie H.
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(c) Russell Cumming, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Russell Cumming
Summary
Source: WikipediaAcacia umbellata is a species of wattle native to northern Australia.
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 hard black seeds are crushed into flour, mixed with water, and cooked as flat cakes.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are eaten. The hard black seeds are crushed into flour and water added before cooking as flat cakes.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in northern Australia in open forest. It must have good drainage. It often occurs on poorer gravely loams and sandstone country.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
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.
Production
It is a hardy fast growing plant. Flowers occur periodically November to March or March to July. Fruiting can occur throughout the year but often July to September. Flowers and ripe pods can be found on the one tree at the same time.
Notes
There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.
References (5)
- Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 77
- Dunlop, C.R., Leach, G.J. & Cowie, I.D., 1995, Flora of the Darwin Region. Vol 2. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 20. p 20
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 126
- Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 66
- Wightman, Glenn et al. 1992. Mudburra Ethnobotany: Aboriginal Plant Use from Kulumindini (Elliott) Northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 14. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. p 8
