38B-1-Acacia-dealbata-hab-Marilyn-Gray.jpg

Acacia dealbata ssp. dealbata

Silver Wattle, Muryan

Fast growing open tree with waxy new growth.

Additional information

  • FamilyFabaceae
  • StoreyMiddle storey
  • Size6-30 m x 5-10 m
  • Plant groupingTrees 3-25 m
  • LeavesFerny blue-green leaves to 13 cm long. Glands at the junction of all pairs of leaf segments on central leaf stalk; leaflets >2 mm long, pointed. Smooth ridges on silvery branchlets.
  • Flower colourLemon to bright yellow
  • Flowering timeJuly to October
  • FlowersCovered in branched bunches of ball-shaped flowerheads. Purplish-brown pods 6-10 cm x 7-10 mm.
  • Bird attractingSeeds, insects
  • Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsDeep moist soil in mountain forests and beside watercourses. Tolerates snow and frost. Full sun, semi or dappled shade.
  • Garden useFast growing screen in moist areas. Erosion control. Can suffer borer attack. Tends to be smaller in drier conditions.
  • Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
  • Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
  • Aboriginal Use Food - seeds & gum; glue, waterproofing & ointment - gum; timber - axe handles
  • Related speciesAcacia nano-dealbata is smaller, bushy with shorter, hairless leaflets with rounded tips and broader pods.
Photographer/s: 1, 2, 4 Marilyn Bull ©; 3, 5 Peter Kinchington ©

Plant Communities

  • 04 Alpine Ash Montane Wet Forest (EVC 39)
  • 08 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest – Dandenongs (EVC 29)
  • 05 Mountain Ash Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 30)
  • 02 Shining Gum Montane Wet Forest (EVC 39)
  • 30 Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 09 Myrtle Beech Cool Temperate rainforest (EVC31)
  • 12 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 18)
  • 13 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Upper Yarra (EVC 18)
  • 11 Manna Gum Riparian Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 18)
  • 22 Silver-leaf Stringybark Heathy Woodland (EVC 48)
  • 15 Scented Paperbark Riparian Thicket - Middle & Upper Yarra (EVC 59)
  • 19 Long-leaf Box Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 10 Southern Sassafras Cool Temperate rainforest (EVC 31)
  • 18 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 45)
  • 40 Snow Gum Grassy Woodland (EVC 175/37)
  • 35 Floodplain Wetland Complex (EVC 172)
  • 01 Alpine Ash Montane Damp Forest (EVC 38)
  • 21 Broad-leaf Peppermint Heathy Dry Forest (EVC 20)
  • 20 Messmate Lowland Forest (EVC 16)
  • 07 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 29)
  • 03 Narrow-leaf Peppermint Montane damp Forest (EVC 38)
  • 41 Swamp Paperbark Riparian Thicket (EVC 59)
  • 06 Mountain Ash Wet Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 30)
  • 33 Mountain Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 16 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest Central Highlands/UpperYarra (EVC 45)
  • 32 Silvertop Ash Shrubby Foothill Forest (EVC 45)
  • 29 Green Scentbark Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 36 Scented Paperbark Riparian Thicket – Central Highlands (EVC 59)
  • 38 Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest – Middle Yarra (EVC 47)
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