Silver Wattle / Velvet-leaf Wattle
Origin of name
Family: MIMOSACEAE
- Acacia meaning “a point“
- holosericea meaning “completely silky haired“
Occurrence
Found across northern, tropical Australia, mostly along
watercourses, but also in open woodlands.
Grows quickly, prefers full sun, light-medium soil, and good drainage. Tip-prune to keep bushy. Drought & frost tender. Fairly short-lived (~10 years) – plant amongst longer-living plants.
Appearance
A shrub/small tree (3-8m), dense when young, but gets
straggly with age. Flowers (clusters of yellow spikes) appear Jun-Aug. Seed pods tightly-coiled/tangled. The large, silver leaves have 3 veins very prominent.
Seeds are bush tucker. Crushed leaves/pods used as bush soap and fish poison. Caterpillars of Fiery Jewel & Wattle Blue butterflies eat the leaves. Birds (e.g. varied triller & red-winged parrot) eat the seeds.
