North Coast Wattle
Origin of name
Family: MIMOSACEAE
- Acacia meaning “a point“
- leptocarpa meaning “slender fruit“
Occurrence
Grows in open eucalypt and/or melaleuca woodlands but also in monsoon forest, gallery forest, vine thickets and beach forest, often in seasonally swampy areas.
Prefers full sun and good drainage, but tolerates heavy clays, some salinity, some water-logging, and low fertility soils. Fast growing – prune to keep bushy shape.
Appearance
Medium tree, 3-10m, with dark, furrowed bark, rounded crown and pendulous foliage. Flowers (golden yellow spikes, May-Sep) lead to long, narrow, pods, coiled in clusters.
Striking, perfumed flowers. Moderate shade tree. Wood used for fuel, posts/poles, small joinery/turnery items, & cabinet work. Host plant of Northern Hairstreak butterfly.
