Common Name: Golden Wattle
Botanical Name: Acacia pycnantha
Family: LEGUMINOSAE
Description:
Medium shrub to small short-trunked tree, short-lived, 3-8 m high. Phyllodes broad, leathery, widest above the centre, distinctly tapering towards base, 6-20 cm long by 1-5 cm wide, 1 central vein, glands on leaf margin. Golden, globular flower heads on showy racemes. Later winter to spring (August to October). Dark brown, flat, narrow, straight pods, 5-12 cm long by 6 mm wide, thin-walled with slight constrictions between enclosed seeds. Summer (December to January).
Medium shrub to small short-trunked tree, short-lived, 3-8 m high. Phyllodes broad, leathery, widest above the centre, distinctly tapering towards base, 6-20 cm long by 1-5 cm wide, 1 central vein, glands on leaf margin. Golden, globular flower heads on showy racemes. Later winter to spring (August to October). Dark brown, flat, narrow, straight pods, 5-12 cm long by 6 mm wide, thin-walled with slight constrictions between enclosed seeds. Summer (December to January).
Natural Distribution:
Widely distributed across all agricultural districts of SA (annual rainfall 350-1200 mm). Also occurs in NSW, ACT and Vic. Common to woodland and mallee areas.
Widely distributed across all agricultural districts of SA (annual rainfall 350-1200 mm). Also occurs in NSW, ACT and Vic. Common to woodland and mallee areas.
Notes:
Adapted to a range of growing conditions, with the mallee form having a duller and narrower 'leaf' in comparison to higher rainfall areas. Northern specimens display a whitish-grey coloured bark in comparison to darker brown bark of southern populations.
Adapted to a range of growing conditions, with the mallee form having a duller and narrower 'leaf' in comparison to higher rainfall areas. Northern specimens display a whitish-grey coloured bark in comparison to darker brown bark of southern populations.
