Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
brigalow, brigalow spearwood, orkor
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Acacia harpophylla
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The brigalow tree can stretch to heights of 82 feet in favorable conditions (1,2,3,4,5). The bark of the brigalow tree is dark brown, hard, and furrowed (1,2,3,4). The leaves of brigalow are leaf-like flattened stems, known as phyllodes, around 10-20 cm in length and a width of 7-20mm (1,2,3,4,6). The coriaceous evergreen phyllodes have a falcate shape with numerous parallel nerves (1,2,3,4). The inflorescences are condensed and often appear in axillary clusters of 2-8 headed racemes (1,2,3,4). The rounded flower heads contain 15 to 35 golden colored flowers with a diameter of 5-8mm (1,2,3,4). The fruit of brigalow are dehiscent pods around 20 cm in length and a 0.5-1 cm width (1,2,3,4). The dull brown colored seeds are thick and oblong or broadly elliptic in shape (1,2,3,4).
Compound:
Aca har
Geographic Origin:
Australia
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The brigalow tree is endemic to central and coastal Queensland to northern New South Wales (1,2,3,4,5,6).
Cultivation Notes:
In the trees naturalized area, brigalows can form extensive open-forest communities, typically on fertile clay and clay-loam soils (1,2,3,4,5). The broad canopy tree can be found in semi-arid to semi-humid areas in warmer temperature zones of eastern Australia (3,5). Brigalow is a highly drought-tolerant tree that thrives in sunny conditions and can withstand dry seasons of 5-7 months (5). Additionally, it can tolerate cold temperatures down to 18F (5). Brigalow is generally considered an undesirable species due to its suckering habit and invasive potential (1,2,4).
Ethnobotany:
All acacias contain quantities of tannins that are astringent and can be used medically (5). If taken internally astringents can be used to treat stomach issues, to treat wounds it can be used externally (5). Acacia species also contain quantities of gum from the trunks and stems that can be used medically to treat stomach problems (5). Essential oil from the flowers have been used for perfumes as well as the scented bark the tree yields (5). The hard wood of brigalow is used in wood working for cabinets, rail materials, and fencing (5).
Height:
50 - 100 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Maslin, B. (2001). Flora of Australia Volume 11A. CSIRO Publishing.
- Factsheet - Acacia harpophylla (lucidcentral.org)
- Acacia harpophylla · Natusfera (inaturalist.org)
- http://worldwidewattle.com/speciesgallery/harpophylla.php
- Acacia harpophylla - Useful Tropical Plants (theferns.info)
- https://arboretum.arizona.edu/research/desert-legume-tree-rescue
- Tropicos | Name - Acacia harpophylla
