Acacia decurrens

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Plant
ID 289 Acacia decurrens
Botanic Name Acacia decurrens
Common Name Early Black Wattle, Green Wattle, Black Wattle
Family Name Fabaceae, sub family Mimosoideae
Cultivars syn. Racosperma decurrens, Mimosa angulata, Mimosa decurrens
Origin Australia, East Coast, Zone 9-10
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Smooth
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 1,100
Growth Habit Small dome / Mallee Growth Rate Fast
Height 8 - 12 m (27 - 40 ft) Spread 4 m (13 ft)
Plant Overview
This small tree has an upright smooth greyish trunk with spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has dark green divided ferns-like leaves and the small ball-shaped, golden yellow flowers appear in a cluster during spring.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Bipinnate
The dark green bipinnate phyllodes are up to 150 mm (6 in) long and have up to 13-pairs of pinnae that are up to 70 mm (2 2/3 in) long. Each having 15 to 45 pairs of linear pinnules that are up to 15 mm (2/3 in) long. The petiole is up to 30 mm.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 50 - 150 mm ( 2.0 - 5.9 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
There are 20-30 bright yellow flowers arranged in a globose head that is up to 7 mm (¼ in) in diameter. There are 6-15 flower heads arranged in an axillary or terminal raceme or panicle, towards the end of the branches, from winter to spring.
Inflorescence Cluster or Fascicle
Colour Yellow
Size 5 - 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 reddish brown straight to slightly curved flattened pod is up to 100 mm (4 in) long by 8 mm (1/3 in) wide and is slightly constricted between and raised over the seeds. The hard black oval seeds are up to 5 mm (¼ in) long.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 55 - 100 mm ( 2.2 - 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 deep clay-sandy loam, moist, poor-fertile pH 5.0-7.0
Container Not normally grown as a container plant
Climate Warm temperate
Aspect Full sun to semi-shade, open position, frost and drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Globular wattle scale, tick scale, leaf hoppers, wattle blight, jassids
Fertiliser Addition of blood and bone to soil after flowering for young and old trees
Pruning May be pruned after flowering and train to a single leader when young
Cultural Uses Propagation
Early Black Wattle is grown for its dense crown and its flowers. It is planted in parks and gardens along borders as a quick screen or as a windbreak. It is also grown as a small shade tree that attracts birds, insects or butterflies.
Before slowing during early spring pre-soak fresh seeds in heated water 13 to 18 C (55 - 64 F) for 24 hours. Seeds may require scarification.
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