Acacia redolens

Acacia redolens.jpg

J. Charboneau

Acacia redolens inflorescences

Botanical Name

Acacia redolens Maslin

Common Name(s)

  • vanilla-scented wattle
  • Ongerup acacia
  • vanilla wattle

Synonyms

Legume Clades

Caesalpinioideae , Mimosoid Clade , Core Mimosoids , Ingoid Clade , Archidendron Clade , Acacia

Native Geographic Range

  • Australia

IUCN Status

LC (Least concern)
See IUCN Red List Assessment

Growth Form

shrub

Cultivation Status in AZ

Commonly cultivated

Description

Evergreen, unarmed, low-spreading shrubs 2—6.6 feet high (0.5—2 m). The bark is smooth and gray. Phyllodes (leaves) are dull, dark green, oblong or oblanceolate, and are 1—2¾ in (2.5—7 cm) long. The dull yellow flowers are produced in short, cylindrical inflorescences. Flowering is from late winter to early summer.

Habitat

Restricted to a small coastal region in southern Western Australia. It grows in various sometimes saline soils in woodland communities as well as near the margins of salt lakes.

Uses

This species has been planted for erosion control and reclamation.

Horticulture

Vanilla-scented wattle forms low dome-shaped mounds and has been planted on embankments and street medians as a tall ground cover. It has also been planted for erosion control. The plants grow in a variety of soils including saline soils. The plants tolerate drought well but appearance is improved with occasional irrigation. This acacia is hardy to ca. 20° F (-6.5° C). Litter is minimal. Cultivated plants sometimes suffer extensive die-back of stems, particularly during the summer. This may be reduced by planting in well-drained soil or reducing irrigation frequency. Selections with specific traits have been trademarked by commercial nurseries.