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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
extremely arid,
very arid, semi-
arid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
vulnerable
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
high (3500 ppm)
Hardiness
:
-9°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub, tree
Height
:
1 m-5 m
Spread
:
2 m-7 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
deep yellow
Period
:
February - April
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
pod
Fruit size
:
9 cm
Endemic to Australia, A. ligulata is one of the most widely distributed plants in the country,
occurring usually on red sand dunes. It is a dense, dome-shaped, and spreading shrub from 1
to 5 metres in height. The common name, Umbrella Wattle, arises from the fact that the lower
45 cm of the trunk is defoliated by herbivores. Its many fine, light-brown branchlets are often
scurfy and distinctly yellow-ribbed. The narrow leaves vary in size from 4 to 10 cm; flowers are
golden-yellow in colour, held in spherical clusters appearing mainly in spring. Long fruit pods
are brown, often with a lighter stripe. A. ligulata can be confused with A. salicina, because it is
closely related to A. bivenosa, and the latter two seem to have hybridised. Leaves and branches
are used medicinally by Australian aborigines; the seeds and gum also as a food source. Readily
germinates in disturbed soils. A hardy, frost-tolerant shrub, it will develop into a small tree
with pruning. Tolerant of extended dry periods up to 8 months. Propagated by seed, A. ligulata
is a fast-growing perennial on well-drained, alkaline and light to heavy soils. A. ligulata has
been selected from the exotic acacias as having potential for planting in Arriyadh and is highly
suitable for extensive landscape design. It is useful for soil erosion control, sand stabilisation, low
windbreaks and is good as a fast-growing screen. Few maintenance requirements, but, owing to
its rapid regeneration, the shrub may become invasive under favourable conditions.
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Acacia ligulata,
Mimosaceae
Umbrella Wattle,
Sandhill Wattle