Acacia baileyana

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cootamundra wattle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Acacia
Species:
A. baileyana
Binomial name
Acacia baileyana
Range of Acacia baileyana
Synonyms

The Cootamundra Wattle is an Australian shrub or tree. It is in the Family Fabaceae. The tree's Latin name, Acacia baileyana, is named after the botanist Frederick Manson Bailey. It is one of nearly 1000 species of Acacia found in Australia. The Cootamundra Wattle at first only came from a small area in southern New South Wales near Cootamundra. It has been widely planted all over Australia. In many areas of Victoria Cootamundra Wattle has become a weed. It is taking over from acacias that were only found in Victorian.

Almost all wattles have cream to golden colored flowers. The small flowers are arranged in round to cylindrical clusters. Only the stamens, the male part of the flower, stick out. Many wattles have been planted in New Zealand.

Uses[change | change source]

A. baileyana is used in Europe in the cut flower industry. It is also used as food for bees in making honey.[3]

Cultivation[change | change source]

This plant is easy to grow. It can adapt and grow in different areas. Unfortunately it easily produces seeds and will start growing new plants in the surrounding area. It can also cross breed with other acacias, including the rare and endangered Sydney species Acacia pubescens.

A low growing, weeping form, is being grown. The fine leaves of the original Cootamundra wattle is grey-green. A new type with blue-purple leaves, known as 'Purpurea' is very popular.

Gallery[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Acacia baileyana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  2. "Acacia baileyana". LegumeWeb. International Legume Database & Information Service.
  3. World Wide Wattle

Other websites[change | change source]