Acacia neriifolia A.Cunn. ex Benth.

Taxonomic Identity

Acacia neriifolia A.Cunn. ex Benth. is an evergreen tree or shrub.

Size

It typically grows 3 to 8 metres (9.8 to 26.2 feet) tall, and can reach up to 8 metres (26 feet) wide.

Growth Habit

It most often has an erect to spreading growth habit, with branchlets that become flattened or angled toward their tips.

Branchlet Characteristics

The branchlets are covered in fine silvery white hairs, which may look yellowish on young shoots, and the branchlets are often coated in a fine white powder.

Foliage Type

Like most Acacia species, this plant has phyllodes instead of true leaves.

Phyllode Shape

These silvery-green phyllodes are roughly linear to narrowly elliptic in shape, and are either straight or slightly curved.

Phyllode Measurements and Features

They measure around 5 to 15 centimetres (2.0 to 5.9 inches) long and 4 to 9 millimetres (0.16 to 0.35 inches) wide, are covered in fine hairs, and have a clearly visible prominent midvein.

Flowering Period and Inflorescence Structure

It blooms between July and October, producing inflorescences grouped in clusters of 8 to 20 on an axillary raceme, along a central axis that is 3 to 9 centimetres (1.2 to 3.5 inches) long.

Flower Head Characteristics

The spherical flower heads are 3.5 to 7 millimetres (0.14 to 0.28 inches) in diameter, and hold 20 to 40 yellow to bright yellow flowers.

Seed Pod Characteristics

After flowering, it forms thinly leathery, flat seed pods that are straight to slightly curved, 6 to 18 centimetres (2.4 to 7.1 inches) long and 6 to 10 millimetres (0.24 to 0.39 inches) wide.

Endemic Range

This species is endemic to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.

Distribution in New South Wales

In New South Wales, it grows on the eastern tablelands and slopes of the Great Dividing Range, extending from around Tamworth and Barradine in the south northward into Queensland.

Natural Habitat

It is commonly found around granite outcrops, as a member of dry sclerophyll forest and woodland plant communities.

Cultivation Uses

When grown in cultivation in gardens, it is useful as a shade tree or an informal screen.

Cultivation Requirements

It grows well in full sun or partial shade, and is drought tolerant.