About Acacia stenophylla A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Scientific name: Acacia stenophylla A.Cunn. ex Benth.
Morphological Description Acacia stenophylla varies greatly in form and size, ranging from a rounded, multi-stemmed shrub to a spreading tree. It reaches 4–20 m (13–66 ft) in height, and typically branches out from the main trunk starting at around 1 m (3.3 ft) above ground. The bark is dark grey to blackish and rough; branchlets are smooth to sericeous, and sometimes angular. Its phyllodes are strap-shaped, 15–40 cm (5.9–15.7 in) long and 2–10 mm (0.08–0.4 in) wide, straight to slightly curved, slightly rough, glabrous or very finely puberulous, acute to acuminate, with an apex that is often strongly curved. The phyllodes have numerous, closely parallel veins. Inflorescences are 3–5 headed racemes with 2–15 mm (0.08–0.6 in) long raceme axes that are slightly rough or covered in minute appressed hairs. Peduncles are 6–13 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long. Flower heads are spherical, 6–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) in diameter, and range in colour from creamy-white to pale yellow. Flowers are pentamerous, with sepals three-quarters fused. Mature pods are moniliform, woody-leathery in texture, up to 26 cm (10 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide; they are smooth overall, with only fine puberulence between seeds. Seeds are arranged longitudinally, elliptic in shape, 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, dark brown, lack an aril, have an enlarged funicle that folds at the seed apex. Flowering is often irregular, but occurs mainly in autumn.
Tolerance and Growing Requirements A. stenophylla is highly salt tolerant, and moderately tolerant of both frost and drought. It requires an average minimum annual rainfall of approximately 400 mm (16 in).
Distribution Acacia stenophylla is predominantly distributed across central and eastern Australia. Its range extends from the Murray River in South Australia and Victoria through western New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and Queensland; a small population also occurs in Western Australia. Its latitudinal range is 17° to 36°S, with most populations occurring between 23° and 33°S. Altitudinally, it occurs from near sea level up to 625 m ASL, with most populations found between 50 and 325 m ASL.
Reproduction and Dispersal Acacia stenophylla normally flowers from March to August, though it can flower irregularly throughout the year. Seed pods develop a woody texture as they mature between October and December, and produce approximately 6–12 viable seeds per gram. A. stenophylla seeds germinate prolifically. After major flood events, abundant seedlings often establish along flood lines, but only a very small proportion of these seedlings persist to maturity.
Uses Acacia stenophylla is rarely grazed by cattle, but is palatable to sheep. Indigenous Australians traditionally roasted its seeds and pods for use as food. The plant is reported to contain medicinal alkaloids. It is widely planted as a drought-tolerant, weeping ornamental tree. It is sold by plant nurseries, and used in modernist gardens and public landscapes in the Southwestern United States, including California.
