General Description:

Acacia is a genus of around 1300 species, about 950 of which occur in Australia. Until recently the genus was more broadly described with about 1400 species spread over five sub-genera. This is discussed further in our dedicated Acacia page.

Acacias occur in all Australian states from coastal zones to mountains to the dry inland. Collectively, acacias are known as “wattles” and one of them, Acacia pycnantha, is the national floral emblem. The green and gold colours of the foliage and flowers has provided Australia’s official colours.

Acacia elongata is an upright, open shrub to small tree from about 1,5 metres to 7 metres in height. Like most members of the genus, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes. In A.elongata the phyllodes are linear in shape from 50-130 mm long by about 3 mm wide with prominent longitudal veins and ending in a short point. The phyllodes are often curved. The lemon-yellow flower clusters occur in the axils of the phyllodes. Flowering is mainly in late winter and spring.

A.elongata is not widely cultivated but smaller forms are excellent garden plants that grow quickly and flower within one or two years from seed. It is reliable in a range of soils and flowers best in full sun or dappled shade. This species is often found in moist soils and is adaptable to areas which suffer short periods of inundation.

Propagation is relatively easy by normal seed raising methods following pretreatment by soaking in boiling water or by scarification. Cuttings may also be successful.