Silver wattle
Acacia holosericea, Fam. Mimosaceae
Fast growing specimen, grows to approximately 5m tall, silvery appearence and 4-12 year life expectancy.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Shrub, Small tree |
| Family: | Mimosaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate 3 prominent leaf veins, elliptic, 10-20cm x 2-5cm. New leaf growth covered in silvery hairs. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow, Gold |
| Flower description: | Golden yellow flower spikes 3-6cm long either single or in pairs in leaf axils. Flowering period June to August. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Green |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Seed pods are curled, changing from green to dark brown when ripe, in dense clusters and measure 2.5 - 4mm wide. Seeds are shiny dark brown and have a bright yellow aril. |
| Habitat: | Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, open forest, woodland. |
| Distribution | Northern Australia, North East Queensland and southward to Central Australia. |
| Food source for: | Seeds consumed by the red-winged parrot and varied triller. The leaves are also a food source for the larval stage of the firey jewel and wattle blue butterflies. |
| Toxicity: | Toxic if ingested |
| Origin: | Australia |
| Notes: | Useful for revegetation due to quick growth, can be susceptible to longicorn beetles. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia. |
