| ACACIA DEALBATA
Silver Wattle
Species
Name: Acacia
dealbata
Family:
Fabaceae (legume family)
Plant
Type:
Broad-leaf tree
Description:
Evergreen tree, height 30-50 feet tall
and wide (9-15 m), with a broad, rounded shape, gray bark.
Leaf:
Twice pinnate, fern-like leaves.
The rachis (main leaf stem) 0.4-1.2
inches long (1-3 cm) with 8-20 pairs of pinnae, each with 25-40 pairs
of leaflets.
Flower:
February-April, bisexual:
small golden yellow flower clusters in
the shape of a ball, 0.25 inch in diameter (6 mm), each with 20-25
individual flowers. The flower
peduncles are pubescent (hairy). Flowers
appear after leaves.
Fruit/Seed:
Dry, brown, straight or slightly
curved, dehiscent pod, 2 to 3.6 inches long (5-9 cm), and 0.5 inch
broad (8-12mm).
Typical Location:
Drought
tolerant plant that can inhabit upland communities and disturbed sites,
outside of the riparian zone, elevations below 1,600 feet (500 m)
Invasiveness:
Not listed as a pest species in
California, but probably aggressive in natural areas
Key Notes:
Australian Acacias are commonly called
wattles, while species of African and American origins are commonly
called acacias. Easily
distinguished by leaf shape.
Notes:
Acacias bloom early and may cause
allergic reactions in many people
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to Riparian Plant List
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