Family:
Fabaceae
Acacia montana
Mallee Wattle
Other Names:
Name Origin:
montana — from Latin montanus, pertaining to or growing on mountains, referring to mountainous habitat, although it occurs more widely on slopes and plains.
Regional Subspecies:
Occurrence:
Regional:
Widespread on lighter soils, predominantly west of the Hume Highway.
Australia:
Qld, NSW, Vic, SA.
Habitat:
Mallee, on sandy red earths. Also stony ridges and on heavy clay soils.
Habit:
Erect or spreading shrub 1-3.5 m high. Fissured grey bark, angled or flattened branchlets and straight sticky ‘leaves’.
Site Preference:
Well-drained light to heavy soil, in partial or full sun. Tolerates frost.
Characteristics:
Fast-growing.
Flowering:
Golden-yellow, usually Aug-Nov. Abundant.
Seed Collection:
Mid-Nov to mid-Dec.
Propagation:
From scarified seed or cuttings.
Regeneration:
From seed and coppice after fire.
VALUES:
Shade & Shelter:
Excellent low-level cover in windbreaks.
Land Protection:
Legume — improves soil fertility by ‘fixing’ nitrogen.
Wildlife:
Good habitat.
Ornamental:
Useful ornamental for hot dry areas, road batters and low maintenance sites. Very hardy and attractive.