Acacia baileyana

The Cootamundra Wattle, commonly known as Wattle, is a shrub or tree in the Family Fabaceae. The Latin name of the species honors the botanist Frederick Manson Bailey. It is but one of nearly 1000 species of Acacia found in Australia. The Cootamundra Wattle is indigenous to a small area in southern New South Wales but has been widely planted in other Australian states. In many areas of Victoria Cootamundra Wattle has become naturalised and is regarded as weed, outcompeting indigenous Victorian species.

Almost all wattles have cream to golden flowers. The small flowers are arranged in spherical to cylindrical inflorescences, with only the stamens prominent. Wattles have been extensively introduced into New Zealand and are regarded by many New Zealanders as one of the most typical features of their home landscape.

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Uses

A. baileyana is used in Europe in the cut flower industry. It is also used as food for bees in the production of honey.^[2]

Less than 0.02% alkaloids were found in a chemical analysis of Acacia baileyana.^[3]

Cultivation

This plant is adaptable and easy to grow. Unfortunately it has an ability to naturalize (i.e. escape) into surrounding bushland. Also, it hybridizes with some other wattles, notably the rare and endangered Sydney Basin species Acacia pubescens.

A prostrate weeping form is in cultivation. The fine foliage of the original Cootamundra wattle is grey-green, but a blue-purple foliaged form, known as 'Purpurea' is very popular.

Gallery

References

1. ^ ILDIS LegumeWeb
2. ^ World Wide Wattle
3. ^ Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen By Robert Hegnauer