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 macradenia is a spreading shrub or small tree 3-5 metres x 3-4 metres with pendulous zig zagging angular branches. The foliage consists of smooth, curved green phyllodes with prominent margins and a midvein and sharp, persistent stipules at the base. Phyllodes are 13-25 cm x 1.0-2.5 cm with a large, elongated gland near the base and often one or two smaller glands along the top margin. New growth is often reddish.

The large, bright yellow ball flowers occur in winter and spring and are followed by clusters of dark brown, smooth pods, raised over the seeds alternately and narrowed between the seeds.

Zig-zag wattle is a very showy species which flowers in profusion if conditions are right. It seems to require a cold period (or perhaps an extended cold period) to encourage flowering in warmer coastal regions.

Propagation is usually carried out from seed.