Scientific Name: Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata

Common Name: silver wattle

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Fabaceae

Form Description: Small to medium tree with growth varying with conditions.

Height (m): 5 – 30

Flowers: Bright yellow, prolific. Globular flower heads in racemes or panicles.

Fruit: Seed pod

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt ForestRiparianWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Tolerates a wide range of soils, except poorly drained or permanently wet soils. Best growth on moist, fertile sites. Tolerates strong winds, frost and snow.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Clay, Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

A hardy, widespread species. Very fast growing. Pioneer species, good “nurse” plant to shelter other species. Fixes nitrogen. Excellent wildlife habitat. Bee attracting. Bird attracting. Used for cut flower and foliage industry. Timber used for furniture and pulp. Bark tannin can be used for tanning. High flammability. Fast-burning firewood, but poor fuel compared to other wattles. Natural regeneration common from seed or suckers. Prone to attack by gall rusts, caterpillars and borers. Foliage is palatable to stock. Susceptible to browsing by hares and rabbits. Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Koori (mainland) use: the wood was used for the handles of stone axes, with the gum used to fasten the head to the handle. The gum was eaten, or dissolved in water with nectar to make a sweet drink.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Most acacias are readily propagated by seed. Seeds drop soon after they turn brown. Produces large crops every 2-3 years.

Seed Treatment Method

Boiling Water Pour boiling water over the seed and allow to soak for 24 hours before sowing.

Seed Storage Life

Long

Seed Treatment Notes

Usually high viability and very long storage life. Seed may persist in soil for 50 years. Establishes well from direct seeding.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Cuttings are possible with “phyllode bearing” acacias, more so than with “feathery leaved” species.