Acacia hilliana

Maiden

Hill's Tabletop Wattle

Fabaceae Edible: Grubs, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 54 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Acacia hilliana, commonly known as Hill's tabletop wattle but also known as sandhill wattle and Hilltop wattle, is a shrub belonging to the genus Acacia and the subgenus Juliflorae. It is native to northern Australia. The Indigenous Australian peoples the Banyjima know it as Bundaljingu and the Nyangumarta know it as Puntanungu.

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

Grubs are collected from the roots, and seeds are eaten.

Traditional Uses

Grubs are collected from the roots.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc. Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids.

Known Hazards

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 on gravely soils. It needs a sunny position and required good drainage.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

It is grown from seed. It would probably grow from cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - it 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. Germination takes place 1 - 3 weeks after sowing. Seedlings stay in the nursery for 6 - 8 months before being planted out. Direct sowing in the field is also possible. Seeds may remain viable for over 30 years.

Other Uses

This species is used widely in the Pilbara land rehabilitation industry (northwestern Australia), especially on mine sites in the Hamersley Range Horticulturally this species has good potential as a ground cover. It is very attractive when in flower due to the proliferation of long, erect spikes that project beyond the normally flat-topped crown; similarly, the pods are erect and when young are sticky resinous with a delicate aromatic odour.

Notes

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

References (6)

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 62
Milson. J., 2000, Trees and Shrubs of north-west Queensland. DPI p 130
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 310
Pennock, A., et al, Australian Dry-zone Acacias for Human Food: Proceedings of a Workshop.
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 56

Show all 6 references