Native Australian Acacias: Unrealised Ornamental Potential

Abstract

Acacia, commonly known as wattle, is the largest genus of flowering plants in Australia. Over 950 species have been identified on the continent, constituting more than half of the 1352 species found worldwide (Maslin, 2001; Maslin and Orchard, 2004). Wattles have integrated with the Australian “identity”, giving rise to symbolic use at national and local community levels. A. buxifolia, or its close relative, was incorporated into the Australian Coat of Arms in 1912. It was adopted as a symbol of unification because of widespread occurrence of the Acacia genus across the continent (Fig. 1A, B; World Wide Wattle, 2009). A. pycnantha (Golden Wattle) had long been popularly regarded as Australia’s national flower. It was officially proclaimed her national floral emblem in 1988 (Fig. 1C; Australian Symbols, 2000). Declaration of the national flower was linked to proclaiming September 1st as Wattle Day. The predominant green and gold colours of wattle foliage and flowers, respectively, are the country’s official national colours (Australian Symbols, 2000). Furthermore, many of the Australian medals of honour that recognise achievement or meritorious service feature wattles, e.g. The Order of Australia. Some shires around the country, such as Dalwallinu, Hyden and Cootamundra, have adopted local species of wattle as their floral emblem. In these instances the species are A. anthochaera (Kimberly’s wattle), A. lanei and A. baileyana (Cootamundra wattle), respectively (World Wide Wattle, 2009).