Family:
Fabaceae
Acacia leprosa
Cinnamon Wattle
Other Names:
Name Origin:
leprosa — from Latin leprosus, scurfy appearance, referring to scurfy or spotted ‘leaves’.
Regional Subspecies:
A. l. var. graveolens
Similar Species:
Closely related, and similar to Varnish Wattle (A. verniciflua).
Occurrence:
Regional:
Tumut region.
Australia:
NSW, Vic.
Habitat:
Eucalypt forest or woodland.
Habit:
Erect or spreading shrub or small tree 1.5-6 m high. Smooth greyish bark and flattened or angled resinous branchlets.
Site Preference:
Moist, well-drained soil in dappled shade or partial sun. Very hardy. Tolerates short periods of dryness and frost.
Characteristics:
Fast-growing. When crushed or on humid days, foliage has cinnamon fragrance. Hybridises with Kangaroo Thorn (A. paradoxa) around Melbourne.
Flowering:
Golden to pale-yellow, Sep-Oct. Abundant scented yellow balls.
Seed Collection:
Early Dec to early Jan.
Propagation:
From scarified seed (± 123 viable seeds per gram), or cuttings.
VALUES:
Shade & Shelter:
Excellent low-level cover in windbreaks.
Land Protection:
Legume — improves soil fertility by ‘fixing’ nitrogen.
Wildlife:
Good habitat.
Timber:
Reputedly excellent for small cabinet making and turning.
Ornamental:
Excellent ornamental for screening, planting near water (weeping forms) and for low maintenance areas.