Acacia kempeana
Acacia kempeana
Acacia kempeana.jpeg
Acacia kempeana inflorescences and phyllodes
Botanical Name
Common Name(s)
- wanderrie wattle
- witchetty bush
Legume Clades
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).