• Deprecated function: Optional parameter $terms declared before required parameter $node is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1445 of /var/www/quickstart.cals.arizona.edu/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Optional parameter $args declared before required parameter $node is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1445 of /var/www/quickstart.cals.arizona.edu/includes/bootstrap.inc).

Acacia kempeana

Acacia kempeana.jpeg

Acacia kempeana
J. Charboneau

Acacia kempeana inflorescences and phyllodes

Botanical Name

Acacia kempeana F. Mueller

Common Name(s)

  • wanderrie wattle
  • witchetty bush

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

Rarely cultivated

Description

Evergreen, unarmed shrubs or small trees to 16 ft (5 m) high with a spreading canopy. Bark brownish, developing furrows with age. Phyllodes (leaves) are dark green, mostly elliptic, and are 1.5—3.5 in (3—9 cm) long. Yellow flowers are bright yellow in cylindrical inflorescenes. Flowering can take place at irregular interval with warm temperatures and sufficient rainfall.

Habitat

Widespread in arid regions of Australia in various soils on plains and hills. The plants are often abundant.

Uses

In Australia, the larvae of a large beetle that feeds of the roots of this species is considered a delicacy among Aboriginal people.

Horticulture

Witchetty bush is suitable as a large shrub or background plant. The plants are low-branched but can be pruned into a small tree. The flowers contrast nicely with the dark green foliage. No pest or disease problems have been observed. The plants produce some leaf litter. Growth rate with irrigation is moderate. Plants are hardy to around 20° F (-6.5° C).