Acacia baileyana

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Plant
ID 139 Acacia baileyana
Botanic Name Acacia baileyana
Common Name Cootamundra Wattle, Golden Mimosa
Family Name Fabaceae, sub family Mimosoideae
Cultivars var. aurea, purpurea, ‘Prostrate’
Origin Australia, NSW Riverina District, Zone 8-10
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Fissured or Wrinkled
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 1,100
Growth Habit Small dome / Mallee Growth Rate Fast
Height 6 - 8 m (20 - 27 ft) Spread 6 m (20 ft)
Plant Overview
This small tree has an erect short trunk with spreading branches that forms a rounded crown. It has silvery grey feathery leaves and the fragrant golden yellow ball-shaped flowers appear profusely from late winter to spring.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Bipinnate
The 40 mm (1 5/8 in) long bipinnate leaves have 20 small oblong leaflets that are up to 8 mm (1/3 in) long with a cuspidate apex and are arranged oppositely along the rachis. A. baileyana 'Purpurea' has reddish new foliage and 'Aurea' are yellowish.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Entire
Colour Silvery grey
Size 30 - 40 mm ( 1.2 - 1.6 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
The bisexual tubulate flowers have inconspicuous sepals and petals and numerous prominent yellow stamens and are up to 7 mm (¼ in) in diameter. There are 20 to 30 flower heads arranged in a long terminal raceme that appears during early spring.
Inflorescence Raceme
Colour Yellow
Size 6 - 7 mm ( 0.2 - 0.3 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Legume Additional Information
Colour Brown
The 100 mm (4 in) long blue green pod ripens to tan-brown and is up to 12 mm (½ in) wide. The seeds germinate after low intensity fire in a native setting.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 60 - 100 mm ( 2.4 - 3.9 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moderately fertile, moist clay to sandy loam, pH 5.5-6.5
Container Large planter boxes
Climate Temperate
Aspect Full sun to partial shade, frost, light drought and 2nd line salt tolerant
Pest & Diseases Borer, wattle blight, tick scale, jassids, blossom gall fly, deer resistant
Fertiliser Feed with blood and bone when young
Pruning Prune lightly after flowering, remove dead wood
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Cootamundra Wattle is grown for its flowers and spreading crown. It is planted in parks and native gardens as a specimen or as a shade tree and used as a wind break. It is also grown for screen planting and is suitable for coastal and inland.
Pre-soak the seeds in heated water 13 to 18 C (55-64 F) for 24 hours. Seeds may require scarification. Sow fresh seed during early spring or when available in pots and place in a cold frame to germinate.
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