I’M A WEED

Western Coastal Wattle

Western Coastal Wattle

Acacia cyclops

This wattle is easily recognised by its old, twisted seed pods that remain on the plants for 2-3 years. Widely spreading dense, bushy shrubs to 4 m. Bark smooth and grey. Phyllodes (modified stems that look like leaves) are oval-shaped, 4-9 cm long by 0.6-1.2 cm wide with distinct veins. Yellow, globular flowers in groups of two to three. Pods are woody and seeds have a distinctive, bright red fleshy “aril” encircling them.

Threat / Problem
• Fast-growing invaders of native vegetation that can form dense thickets, outcompeting and displacing
native species.

Spread
• New plants grow from seed and A. saligna also produces suckers. Ants and birds are the main dispersal agents.
• Regenerates prolifically after fire.

Control
• Hand pull small plants, drill and fill or cut and swab any time.
• If unsure of identification, seek professional advice before removing to ensure that local native wattles are not removed.

Western Coastal Wattle

GROW ME INSTEAD

Coastal Wattle

Coastal Wattle

Acacia longifolia var. sophorae

Spreading shrub to 4 m high, sometimes taller, and can be 10-15 m wide. Phyllodes are blunt, elliptic, 6-15 cm long by 0.8-3.5 cm wide,  with 2-4 prominent, parallel veins. Flowers are bright yellow, dense, fluffy spikes 2-4 cm long. Pods 5-10 cm long by 0.4-0.6 cm broad, often drooping and clustered, coiled and twisted on opening. Seed is eaten and dispersed by a wide variety of birds.

Common on coastal sand dunes and propagates easily from seed.

Coastal Wattle