Common Name(s): Bramble Wattle, Elegant Wattle

Synonym(s):

Family: Fabaceae

Native To: Australia

Native Habitat: Grows in medium to heavy soils in alluvial plains, or in sandy soils where rain is more frequent.

Growth Habit: Sprawling shrub-like tree attaining a height of 5-6 meters, with an equal spread, particularly with multiple trunks.

Flowering: Mid March

Distinguishing Characteristics: Foliage is composed of dull blue-green phyllodes (not true leaves but rather expanded petioles). Each of these is slightly curved, to about 5 cm long, and has a prominent mid-vein and a waxy look. Branches are covered in 1 cm stipular spines, 2 at the base of each phyllode, that are quite slender. Cream-colored half-inch puffball flowers occur in pairs in the 10-12cm cluster. Flowering is heavy and the scent is strong. The pods can grow to 8 cm long, and half cm across. They are papery and easily dehisce along the seams. Seeds are about lentil-sized.

Natural History and Cultivation Notes: This tree is another of Warren Jones’s legacy trees, brought to campus as an experiment in the mid 70s or early 80s. Cross pollination apparently is not required. Bees love the single UA tree - and the resulting fruit set is normally vigorous. Seeds were germinated at the UA Campus Agriculture Center on Campbell Avenue (another cold spot in Tucson). Germination is enhanced by methods typical for many legume seeds: bring water to a rolling boil, remove from stove, soak seeds as water cools overnight to soften the seed coats.

The sprawly UA tree is situated in full sun, in a not-particularly ideal spot. Although it is on irrigation, the site has reflected heat, compacted soil, and doesn’t allow for good expansion. Nonetheless, the “Elegant Wattle” is performing elegantly.

Ethnobotany: Acacia victoriae seeds are valued for their nitrogen levels; they are sprouted, used in breads and ground up for meal. Similar to other indigenous cultures, Aborigines are helping to share traditional gathering and cooking techniques and to look for markets for ground and roasted seeds. The leaves and stems are also moderately nutritious and thus useful for cattle/stock browse. Because of its rambling form, Acacia victoriae is grown as a hedge or windbreak or to prevent erosion.

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