Acacia latescens

Benth.

Ball wattle

Fabaceae Edible: Gum, Sap 21 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Acacia latescens, also known as Ball wattle, is a tree in the genus Acacia (in the family Fabaceae and the subgenus Plurinerves). It is native to the Northern Territory where it is common in the Top End.

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 gum and sap are eaten.

Traditional Uses

The gum is eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant and grows in the northern tips of Australia. It often grows under larger trees. It needs well drained soils.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

It is grown from seed.

Production

Flowers are produced in April to June and pods in July to September.

Notes

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

References (7)

Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 64
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 198
Dunlop, C.R., Leach, G.J. & Cowie, I.D., 1995, Flora of the Darwin Region. Vol 2. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No 20. p 13
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 73
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 4

Show all 7 references

Levitt, D., 1981, Plants and people. Aboriginal uses of plants on Groote Eylandt. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Canberra. p 102
London J. Bot. 1:380. 1842