Family:

Fabaceae

Acacia rubida

Red-stemmed Wattle

Other Names: Red-leaved Wattle, Red-stem wattle.

Name Origin:

rubida — from Latin ruber, red, referring to red stems.

Regional Subspecies:

Similar Species:

May resemble Hickory Wattle/Lightwood (Acacia implexa). Distinguish by reddish tinge in ‘leaves’ as they dry, and by retention of bipinnate foliage.

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted in the Murray catchment, from as far west as Long Plain-West Hume, to as far east as Coppabella.

Australia:

Qld, NSW, Vic.

Habitat:

Usually dry sclerophyll forest on elevated rocky localities. Also riverbanks and swamp edges.

Habit:

Erect or spreading shrub or small tree 2-10 m high with brownish, finely fissured bark and ‘leaves’ 5-20 cm long.

Site Preference:

Dry soils. Tolerates frost, drought and limited waterlogging. Semi-shade and full sun.

Characteristics:

Very hardy and fast-growing. Juvenile bipinnate leaves persist on plant with adult ‘leaves’, up to 2 m high.

Flowering:

Pale to golden-yellow, Jul-Nov.

Seed Collection:

Early Nov to late Dec.

Propagation:

From scarified seed. Pour boiling water over seeds and soak for several hours before drying and sowing.

Regeneration:

From seed and suckers, particularly after fire.

VALUES:

Shade & Shelter:

Useful low-level cover in windbreaks.

Land Protection:

Useful for controlling soil erosion due to suckering and soil-binding fibrous roots. Legume — improves soil fertility by ‘fixing’ nitrogen.

Wildlife:

Flowers are a pollen source for native moths, butterflies and other insects. Insect-eating birds attracted. Seed-eating birds attracted, including parrots and native pigeons. Foliage good cover for small birds.

Ornamental:

Valuable ornamental, particularly conspicuous during winter when reddish. Severe pruning after flowering benefits plants.