Golden Wattle Plant Information
The golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is a small tree or shrub native to woodlands and open forests in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. It has become naturalized in areas such as Western Australia, and enthusiasts as far away as South Africa and California cultivate it as an ornamental plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Golden wattle plants grow between 16 and 26 feet tall on average, with multiple stems. They flower between late winter and early spring, producing rounded clusters of yellow blossoms. The flowers are hermaphroditic and contain both male and female parts. Golden wattles do not produce true leaves, but rather phyllodes, which are lance-shaped, curvy modified stems that resemble leaves. The phyllodes vary in length from 2 to 8 inches depending on the tree. The branches near the top of the plant are often covered in powdery white granules.
History
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During the 19th century, most Australian settlers filled their gardens with plant species that were native to Europe and largely ignored local species like the golden wattle. People did not start to show interest in native plants until the beginning of the 20th century, as Australians began to search for a national identity. Australians in various parts of the country began celebrating wattle days at different times of the year in honor of the wattle, a distinctly Australian species. Robert Ray, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, declared the golden wattle as the national floral emblem of Australia on September 1, 1988. In 1992, Australia's Minister of the Environment declared September 1 as National Wattle Day.
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Cultivation
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Acacia pycnantha trees and shrubs grow in full sunlight or partial shade and can tolerate a wide range of well-drained soil types, including shallow or acidic soils. They cannot tolerate soggy soil, however, and only have a mild tolerance for frost. They reproduce from seeds, but you must boil the seeds in water for about a minute, soak them in warm water for about 12 hours, or nick them to encourage the seeds to germinate. They will usually flower during their second growing season.
Benefits and Liabilities
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Golden wattle plants benefit the soil by fixing nitrogen. They help control erosion in sandy or heavy clay soils, and manufacturers create dyes and perfumes from parts of the plant. Golden wattles produce edible seeds; aboriginal people use the plant's resin as an edible gum or adhesive material. The plants have a tendency to become weedy or invasive in locations outside of their native environment. They are quick-growing but live for fewer than 15 years, and the foliage may turn yellow in soils that contain too much lime.
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