Fabaceae

acinacea — curved, sword-like, possibly referring to coiled legumes or seed-bearing fruit.

Common west of the Olympic Highway.

NSW, Vic, SA.

Woodland. A range of soils, chiefly sand.

Small spreading shrub 30 cm to 2 m high with arching branches, angled or flattened branchlets and hairy ‘leaves’.

Well-drained soil in full or partial sun. Frost and drought tolerant. Resents poor drainage.

Fast-growing. Lifespan may be several decades.

Golden-yellow, usually Aug-Oct. Profuse.

Early Dec to mid Feb. Monitor closely as seeds released immediately or within 1-2 days of maturity. Often produces little seed.

From scarified seed (± 113 viable seeds per gram). Pour boiling or very hot water over seeds and soak for several hours before sowing. Also from cuttings.

From seed and suckers after fire, forming dense groundcover. Does not establish as readily as most wattles when direct seeded.

Useful low-level cover in windbreaks.

Legume — improves soil fertility by ‘fixing’ nitrogen.

Good habitat. Flowers are a nectar and pollen source for many native beetles, moths and butterflies. Insect-eating birds attracted. Seeds eaten by birds including parrots, native pigeons and quails, and invertebrates including ants (collections of seed often riddled with seed-eating insects).

Attractive for hedges, screens, rock gardens, under trees and in large tubs. Prune lightly after flowering to promote bushiness (heavy pruning promotes suckering). Self-seeds in garden.