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.