Gardening with Indigenous Plants
Indigenous Plant Use
Identification & Control of Common Weeds
| Myth Buster: | Wattles rarely cause hayfever (it is mostly grasses) |
| Botanical Name: | Acacia mearnsii synonym: Racosperma mearnsii |
| Common Name: | black wattle, garrong, green wattle, late black wattle |
| Sold As: | Tube ($2.00) |
| Plant Type(s): | Large Tree (over 6 m), Bird Attracting, Butterfly Attracting, Insect Attracting, Indigenous Plant Use |
| Indigenous Plant Use: | Gum is used as chewing gum that dissolves as you chew. Bark can be soaked to make a tea, which is claimed to be good for indigestion.CAUTION: Many plants are poisonous if not collected and prepared properly! |
| Growing Conditions: | Full Sun, Partial Shade, Shade
Dry, Moist, Well Drained |
| Size (HxW): | 8-20 m x 6-10 m |
| Foliage: | Olive-green ferny leaves to 20 cm long. Glands on central leaf stalks both at the junction and between pairs of leaf segments. |
| Flowers: | Dense bunches of highly perfumed pale yellow flowerheads (balls). Pods constricted between seeds, 6-15 cm x 5-9 mm, September-December |
| General Comments: | A fast-growing open tree with smooth dark bark. Resents pruning. Gum often exudes from the bark. Attractive shade tree. Plant away from target areas. A legume. Birds like the seeds and the insects it attracts. Food plant for caterpillars. |
 Further Information: | |
| Plant Propagation: | Propagation is easy from scarified seed by covering with boiling water for 24 hours and discarding any seeds still floating on the surface. |
