Uses
Edible uses
Notes
The bark exudes an edible gum[2]. Some species produce a gum that is dark and is liable to be astringent and distasteful, but others produce a light gum and this is sweet and pleasant. It can be sucked like candy or soaked in water to make a jelly[3]. The gum can be warmed when it becomes soft and chewable[3]. Seed - cooked. It is dried, ground into a flour and used with cereals in making cakes etc[4][2]. Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain approx 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat[5]. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present[5]. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated which is a distinct health advantage although it presents storage problems as such fats readily oxidise[5]. 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%[5]. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480+270 kJ per 100g[5]. 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[5]. A sweet red or white 'lerp' that forms on the leaves and branches is eaten[2]. Lerp is a protective shield secreted from the anus of sap-sucking insects[3]. The taste is sweet and it was used as a staple food by the Aborigines in some areas of Australia[3]. It is not clear if the lerp is eaten when the insects are still present or if it can be eaten after they have gone[K].
A large succulent gall, known as 'mulga apple' is produced by the tree and is said to quench the thirst[2].Flowers
Sap
Seed
Material uses
A green dye is obtained from the seed pods[6]. The extensive root system of this plant helps to prevent soil erosion[7]. The twigs are used to make a dishmop[8].
Wood - turns well, takes a high polish. It is used extensively for ornaments and fencing[8][9][10].Medicinal uses(Warning!)
There are no medicinal uses listed for Acacia aneura.Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Acacia aneura. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Hardy to at least -7c in Australian gardens[9], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. Trees are not very hardy outdoors in Britain, even in the mildest areas of the country they are likely to be killed in excessively harsh winters[14].
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[7].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Acacia aneura. 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 aneura.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
- Drought
Earth stabiliser
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Nitrogen fixer
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References
- ? 1.01.11.2 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (32202/01/01)
- ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
- ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0-207-14383-8 (32202/01/01)
- ? 4.04.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (32202/01/01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.6 Lister. P. www.uws.edu.au/vip/listerp/wattle.htm Wattleseed ()
- ? 6.06.16.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (32202/01/01)
- ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? 8.08.18.2 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney ISBN 0-00-216441-8 (32202/01/01)
- ? 9.09.19.2 Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (32202/01/01)
- ? 10.010.110.2 Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. ISBN 0-85179-627-3 (32202/01/01)
- ? 11.011.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
- ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (32202/01/01)
- ? 13.013.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (32202/01/01)
- ? 14.014.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)
- ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (32202/01/01)
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