Yellow Wattle
Origin of name
Family: MIMOSACEAE
- Acacia meaning “a point“
- flavescens meaning “turning yellow“
Occurrence
Grows locally in open forest and on the margins of monsoon forest and rainforest.
A fast-growing plant that prefers full sun. Succeeds in poor soil, but prefers sandy soil. A hardy plant useful for stabilising soil, especially in fire-prone areas.
Appearance
A shrub/tree growing 1-6m tall with shaggy, furrowed bark and yellowish branchlets, hence common name. Flowers (Dec-Jul) are pale yellow/ cream, globular heads. The scimitar-shaped leaves have three distinct veins.
Indigenous use: Bark used to make string.
Caterpillars of the Bright Forest Blue, Moonlight Jewel
& Copper Jewel butterflies eat the leaves.
