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. A gum that exudes naturally from the trunk is edible and is used as a substitute for Gum Arabic in making jellies etc[2][3][4]. It is insoluble in water[5] and is of low quality[6]. Larger quantities can be obtained by tapping the trunk[6]. 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.[7]. The gum can be warmed when it becomes soft and chewable[7].

Flowers

Unknown part

Gum

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[8].

A green dye is obtained from the seed pods[8]. The extensive root system of this plant helps to prevent soil erosion[9]. Often grown as a screen in Australia[10].

The bark contains about 40% tannin[11][12]. On a 10% moisture basis, the bark contains 36.6% tannin[13].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent[14][5]. It should be stored for 12 months before being used[14]. Its main use is in the treatment of diarrhoea[14].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Hedge


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 decurrens. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light sandy loam and a very sunny position sheltered from strong winds[15][18][19]. Succeeds in any good garden soil that is not excessively limey[20], it also succeeds in dry soils. Most species in this genus become chlorotic on limey soils[9].

Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[21]. This species is one of the hardiest members of the genus, it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country, but even in Cornwall it can be killed back to the ground in excessively harsh winters[20]. It will, however, usually resprout from the base. Plants require hot, sunny summers if they are to ripen their wood fully and flower freely. In Britain they tend to do best when grown in coastal gardens in a sunny, sheltered position that is protected from the wind[20]. A fast-growing and very ornamental tree[15][21], it is closely related to A. dealbata[20]. The cultivar 'Mollis' is notably resistant to honey fungus[9].

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[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Acacia decurrens. 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 decurrens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Acacia decurrens
Genus
Acacia
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
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
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    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
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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

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


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

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

    "image:Acacia-decurrens-catalina.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acacia-decurrens-catalina.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-decurrens-catalina.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Acacia-decurrens-catalina.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-decurrens-catalina.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acacia-decurrens-catalina.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. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-558229-2 (1991-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0-207-14383-8 (1989-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) ISBN 0-7322-0021-0 (1988-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    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. ? 17.017.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    18. ? Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()
    19. ? Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.220.320.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)

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

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