Beach Wattle / Thick-podded Salwood
Origin of name
Family: MIMOSACEAE
- Acacia meaning “a point“
- crassicarpa meaning “thick fruit“
Occurrence
A local plant. Grows in beach forest, open forest and rainforest
margins, behind coastal foredunes & on slopes of stabilised sand
dunes, and on coastal plains & foothills.
A fast-growing plant that prefers sandy soil, but tolerates light clay. Tolerates salt spray & some soil salinity. Common in regrowth following disturbance.
Appearance
Shrub/small tree (6-15m). Bark deeply cracked. Flowers (clusters of yellow spikes, May-Sep) lead to flat, brown, woody pods. Sickle shaped leaves have ~7 distinct veins.
Attracts birds and is food tree for Northern Imperial Blue butterfly
larvae. Branched canopy provides good shade and wind protection. Wood is used commercially.
