Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
bramble wattle, elegant wattle
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Acacia victoriae
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Large shrub or small tree from 1.5—5 m (5—16.5 ft) tall, rarely to 9 m (29.5 ft) (1, 2). The plant typically has a short trunk or is sparing divided at ground level, becoming heavily branched higher up (1, 2). The main stems can be crooked, with grey bark and fine fissures appearing at their base (2). Upper branches and new growth are smooth and green to light bronze (2). Branchlets are pruinose (having a white powdery coating), yellow-green, typically glabrous (smooth) but sometimes hairy (1, 2). The shrub lacks true leaves, but rather has phyllodes (modified leaf stems which act as leaves) (1, 2). These phyllodes are persistent (evergreen), variable, from linear to narrowly oblong, lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, and typically from 2—6.5 cm (0.8-2.6 in) long and 2—9mm (0.08-0.35 in) wide (1, 2, 4). The phyllodes are smooth, straight or incurved, have a prominent midrib, and can be glaucous (blue-green), green, or grey-green (1, 2). The plant has obscure or prominent extrafloral nectaries, or glands, on the base of the upper margins of the phyllodes (1, 2). Inflorescences are typically racemose (composed of flowers borne on short stalks, equally spaced apart, and opening in order from the bottom towards the apex), 1-10 cm (0.39-3.9 in) long, but peduncles sometimes subtended by a secondary phyllode (1, 2). Inflorescence has prolific globular heads with 15-30 flowers each (1, 2). Flowers are cream-white to pale yellow (1, 2). Fruits are narrowly oblong pods, up to 8 cm (3.1 in) long, 9-16 mm (0.35-0.63 in) wide, flat but rounded over seeds, straight-edged, papery, and straight to slightly curved (1, 2). Seeds are 4-6 mm (0.16-0.24 in) long, transverse, globose, and mottled brown and black (1, 2).
Compound:
Aca vic
Geographic Origin:
Australia
Ecozone Origin:
Australasia
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
===================================================================The thambarli occurs widely in arid and sub-tropical areas of all mainland states of Australia (though it is confined to the far northwest of Victoria) at elevations up to 750 m (2460 ft) (2, 4). It is most commonly found in clay or loam soils on alluvial flats, and sometimes found in sand (1, 2). It can become a nuisance around water sources, due to its quick growth and tendency to form thickets (2, 4). The shrub is fast-growing and frequently sends up suckers from its roots, and has a short lifespan of 10-15 years (2). It is a prominent pioneer species on degraded land (2). Its specific epithet comes from a river in central Queensland, rather than the state of Victoria (1, 2). This river was originally named after Queen Victoria, but later renamed to the Aboriginal name Barcoo (1). The thambarli is hardy in USDA zones 8-11 (4).
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Natural History of the UA Campus Arboretum Specimen: This tree is one of Warren Jones’s legacy trees brought to campus as an experiment in the mid 70s or early 80s.
Cultivation Notes:
This shrub’s seeds remain viable for seven or more years if stored at room temperature (5). Before germination, seeds benefit from scarification with hot (but not boiling) water followed by a 12 hour soak in warm water (4, 5). The seeds germinate in 3-10 weeks, and are best sown in late spring or early summer (5). The plant can also be grown from cuttings, and established plants can form thickets from root suckers if coppiced or with ample water (4, 5). The shrub does best with direct sun, though it may struggle in intense heat and drought (4, 5). Immature plants struggle with temperatures below freezing, while mature plants are damaged at about -10°C (14°F) (4).
Ethnobotany:
The thambarli is a well-known, much-used food source for Aboriginal peoples, and more recently for non-Aboriginal Australians (2, 4). The plentiful seeds are highly nutritious and can be ground into a useful baking flour that has flavors of coffee and chicory (1, 4). Thambarli also contains a white gum compound which appears on its trunk, which can be eaten to treat diarrhea and dysentery (1, 4). The wood of the tree has been used extensively for spears, implements, firewood, fish-traps, and to build shelters (1). Overall, the Aboriginal peoples of Australia have a deeply connected, historical relationship with this useful shrub (1, 2, 4). Additionally, the shrub is salt-tolerant and fast-growing, which has contributed to its used in land reclamation on old mine sites and as a soil stabilizer (4).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Cream
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
