This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Flowers - cooked[1]. Rich in pollen, they are often used in fritters. The flowers have a violet-like fragrance[2].

Seed - roasted[3][4][5][6]. Starchy[7]. Rather small and fiddly to gather[K]. Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain approx 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat[8]. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present[8]. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated which is a distinct health advantage although it presents storage problems as such fats readily oxidise[8]. The mean total carbohydrate content of 55.8 + 13.7% is lower than that of lentils, but higher than that of soybeans while the mean fibre content of 32.3 + 14.3% is higher than that of other legumes such as lentils with a level of 11.7%[8]. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480+270 kJ per 100g[8]. Wattle seeds are low glycaemic index foods. The starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise[8].

Seedpods - roasted[7]. The pods are up to 10cm long[9].

Flowers

Seedpod

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[10].

A green dye is obtained from the seed pods[10]. The extensive root system of this plant helps to prevent soil erosion[11]. It is used on sandy soils and steep banks[11]. Trees are planted as a screen in Australia[12]. This species is often grown as a rootstock for grafting lime-intolerant members of the genus[13].

Wood - pale, tough[14].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Acacia longifolia.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Hedge


Rootstock


Earth stabiliser


Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse[15]. Stored seed should be scarified, pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in a warm greenhouse in March. The seed germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 25°c[16]. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a frame[17]. Overwinter in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Fair percentage[17].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Acacia longifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sandy loam and a very sunny position.[15][18]. Succeeds in any good garden soil that is not excessively limey[13]. This species is fairly lime-tolerant[13][11]. Succeeds in a hot dry position[19] and in poor soils[20]. A fairly wind resistant tree, growing well in maritime areas[21][19][18]. Tolerates some salt in the soil[11].

Hardy to about -10°c for short periods[11], it can be grown outdoors in many of the milder areas of the country though, even in Cornwall, it is liable to be cut back to the ground in excessively cold winters[13]. It can resprout from the base[13]. Tasmanian provenances are the hardiest forms in British gardens[18]. Dislikes root disturbance[17]. A very ornamental plant[15]. The flowers are scented of violets[2].

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Acacia longifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Acacia longifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Acacia longifolia
Genus
Acacia
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Salinity
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
Mature Size
9 x 6 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

"image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (1976-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Lister. P. www.uws.edu.au/vip/listerp/wattle.htm Wattleseed ()
  9. ? 9.09.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (1988-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria. ()
  15. ? 15.015.115.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  16. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.1 Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
  20. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
  21. ? Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-167" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

"image:Acacia-longifolia-branch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.