Acacia dictyophleba

Acacia dictyophleba, also known as the sandhill wattle, waxy wattle, feather veined wattle, and spear tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a glabrous, resinous shrub with lance-shaped phyllodes, spherical or oblong heads of golden yellow flowers and narrowly oblong, firmly leathery pods. The Nyangumarta peoples know the plant as langkur or lungkun; the Thalanyji know it as jabandi; and the Pintupi know it as mulyati.

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 ground into flour and eaten; they are notably nutritious at 26% protein. Grubs found in the roots are also eaten.

Traditional Uses

The seed is eaten. The seeds are ground like flour then eaten. The seeds are very nutritious being 26 % protein. Grubs are found in the roots.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant, also known by the name spear tree, is used to make spears and digging sticks by the Aboriginal people of the Little Sandy Desert. The seeds are edible and the phyllodes can be chewed like tobacco. The phyllodes can be brewed to make tea which can be used to treat colds and headaches. The bark contains tannins and are astringent and can be used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. The wood can be used as a fuel and to make fence posts. A. dictyophleba has potential as an ornamental plant, with its impressive flowering and attractive foliage. It is also a fast-growing tree that is also nitrogen fixing as well as frost and drought tolerant.

Known Hazards

The seed of many Acacia species, including this one, is edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten safely as a fairly major part of the diet. Not all species are edible, however, and some can contain moderate levels of toxins. Especially when harvesting from the wild, especial care should be taken to ensure correct identification of any plants harvested for food. Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Distribution

It occurs naturally in the Northern half of Australia. It is mostly in central Australian regions and is not common. It is drought and frost resistant. It prefers well drained soils and a sunny position. It suits places with a hot dry climate. It can grow in arid places. It cannot tolerate fire.

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.

Propagation

The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them.

Other Uses

The wood is used for fuel.

Production

The flowers develop in April to September followed by seeds.

Other Information

Seeds are an important food in Central Australia.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Also Known As

Athiyimpa, Wajarnpi

References (16)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 4
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 15
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 42, 188
• Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 42
• Fragm. 3:128. 1863

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