Acacia cultiformis     
Knife acacia   
Fabaceae Family     

Form: irregular shrub; with age a rounded small tree or mounded shrub
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: 6-12ft, spread 6-15ft; in Tucson, typically only to 8ft with equal spread
Leaves: unusual triangular shape, like knife blade or shark fin; no petiole (phyllodium); rough texture, off-green
Flowers: on terminal end of each branch, cluster of small golden yellow puffballs; bloom in early to mid spring

young Acacia cultiformis specimen

Fruit: small slender pod; 1.5-2in long, 1/2 to 1/4in wide
Stems/Trunks: may form slender trunk with age
Range/Origin: arid regions of eastern Australia
Hardiness: to high teens

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• accent
• barrier

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, part shade
• Water: little once established; once per week or per every two weeks
• Soil: adaptable, but good drainage is essential
• Propagation: seed, easy
• Maintenance: low, best when left with natural form; prune to shape if desired

unusual leaf form of Acacia cultiformis

NOTES:

prone to chlorisis in wet soils

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This page was first created August 24, 2001 and last modified July 4, 2004.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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