Wattle
Origin of name
Family: MIMOSACEAE
- Acacia meaning “a point“
- polystachya meaning “many spikes“
Occurrence
A local plant. Grows in monsoon forest, drier rain forest,
deciduous vine thicket, and along beaches.
Growth condition not well known. Appears to tolerate a range of soil types and will grow taller in the shade. Probably prefers well-drained soils, and is reported to tolerate salt spray.
Appearance
A tree ~3-25m with grey/dark brown, usually rough bark. White/pale yellow flower spikes (May-Aug) are followed by flat, curved/coiled, whitish pods with black seeds encircled by a bright orange/red aril.
Caterpillars of the Small Purple Line-blue butterfly eat the
leaves. Has been used as a tree crop for infertile, sandy soils, but not on a commercial basis now.
