Also known as long-leaved wattle, acacia trinervis, aroma doble, coast wattle, sallow wattle, and Sydney golden wattle, this flowering broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is endemic to coastal areas of southeastern Australia. It is a member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupine, alfalfa, and black locust. The plant can grow 15-30′ tall but may be prostrate if growing in poor soil or in maritime conditions. Like many other Acacias, it has true leaves only as a seedling, and has dark green leaf-like phyllodes when mature. The phyllodes are leathery, 2-8″ long, and oblong-lanceolate with pointed tips. From winter to early spring spike-like clusters of bright yellow flowers appear in the phyllode axils singly or in pairs. The clusters are 0.79 to 1.77 long and the flowers have 4 inconspicuous petals and sepals and many conspicuous stamens that give them a fuzzy appearance. The fruit that follows is 1.6-5.9″ long, may be straight or twisted, and is constricted between each seed. Golden wattle is tolerant of heat, drought, poor soil, and coastal conditions and is a good choice for erosion control, soil stabilization, seaside garden, winter garden, hedge, screen, and as a street tree. The genus name, Acacia, comes either from the Greek word akazo meaning to sharpen or from the Egyptian word akakia, a name given to the Egyptian Thorn, Acacia arabica. The specific epithet, longifolia, comes from the Latin words longus, meaning long, and folia, meaning leaf.
Type: Flowering broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree
Outstanding Feature: Flowers
Form: Sprawling to erect
Growth Rate: Rapid to moderate
Bloom: Spike-like clusters of bright yellow flowers, from winter to early spring
Size: 15-30′ H x 10-30′ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Average, medium moist, well-drained; tolerant of lean soil, drought and slightly alkaline soil
Hardiness: Zones 8-11
Care: Low maintenance; can be pruned hard
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed, cuttings
Photo Credit: Michael Wolf, Wikipedia
Karen Meyers