Acacia elongata Sieber ex DC.

Scientific Name

Acacia elongata Sieber ex DC.

Description

Growth Habit

Acacia elongata (common name swamp wattle) is an erect or spreading shrub that usually grows up to 5 m (16 ft) tall. It has yellow-ribbed branchlets, sometimes with tiny pressed hairs against the surface.

Phyllode Features

Its phyllodes are rigid, linear to narrowly lance-shaped (with the narrower end at the base), straight to slightly curved. They are typically 50–160 mm (2.0–6.3 in) long and up to 24 mm (0.94 in) wide, thinly leathery, with 3 raised veins and a small gland near the base.

Flower Arrangement

Flowers are arranged in two or three spherical heads held in racemes 1–14 mm (0.039–0.551 in) long, on peduncles 5–16 mm (0.20–0.63 in) long. Each flower head is 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter, holding 20 to 42 light golden yellow flowers.

Flowering Period

Flowering occurs from July to October.

Pod Characteristics

After flowering, it produces linear, straight, thinly leathery, glabrous pods that grow up to 90 mm (3.5 in) long and 3.5–6 mm (0.14–0.24 in) wide. The pods are strongly raised over the contained seeds.

Seed Features

Seeds are broadly elliptic to oblong, 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, glossy dark brown, with an aril at one end.

Distribution

Native Range

This species is native to north-eastern New South Wales, Australia, occurring from near Kingscliff in the north, south to near Eden, and west inland to Wagga Wagga.

Habitat Preferences

It grows along watercourses and in swamps, in sandy soil within woodland and heath habitats.

Naturalized Populations

It has also become naturalized in a small number of locations in the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.

Use in horticulture

Cultivation Status

Acacia elongata is not widely cultivated, though smaller forms are sometimes grown in gardens.

Growth Rate

Plants grow quickly, and flower within one to two years when grown from seed.

Growing Conditions

It can grow in a range of soils as long as the soil is reasonably moist, and tolerates both full sun and dappled shade.

Propagation Method

It can be propagated from seed, but seed requires pretreatment via either scarification or soaking in boiling water.

Suitability Attributes

This shrub is suitable for poorly drained areas, and tolerates light frosts and salt spray.