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.