Acacia dealbata – Silver Wattle, Mimosa

Explore Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Acacia dealbata | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Silver Wattle, Mimosa, Blue Wattle, Winter Mimosa

Family: Fabaceae

Appearance: A fast-growing tree with bipinnate, silver-gray foliage and bright yellow, fragrant, globular flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring.

Type: Perennial

Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen

Layer: Tall Tree / Canopy

Root System: Deep and extensive root system with nitrogen-fixing nodules

Height: 6–30 meters

Width: 4–12 meters

Lifespan: Typically 30–50 years

Growth Rate: Fast

Fertility: Self-fertile

Flowers: Hermaphroditic

Pollinator: Attracts bees and other insects

Toxicity: Seeds and pods may be mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities

Acacia dealbata | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

• Native Range: Southeastern Australia and Tasmania

• Companionship: Often found growing with eucalyptus, Casuarina, and other sclerophyllous vegetation

• Invasive Range: Considered invasive in parts of the Mediterranean, South Africa, New Zealand, and California

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 8–10

• Minimum Chill Hours Required: None

Resistance/Tolerance

• Poor Soil: High tolerance

• Drought: High tolerance

• Shade: Low tolerance

• Flood: Low tolerance

• Wind: High tolerance

• Maritime: Moderate tolerance

• Air Pollution: High tolerance

• Fire: High tolerance – resprouts after fire

Thriving Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun

• Soil Moisture: Prefers well-drained to dry soils

• Soil Type: Tolerates sandy, loamy, and gravelly soils

• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.5)

Propagation

• Seeds: Easily propagated from seed; scarification or boiling water treatment recommended before sowing

• Cuttings: Can be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings, but with lower success rate than seed

Acacia dealbata | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Some sources mention edible flowers in small quantities

Medicinal: Traditionally used in some cultures for treating infections and skin conditions

Cosmetics: The flower extract is used in perfumery

Animal Feed: Not used as fodder due to potential toxicity

Fiber: Source of low-grade fiber for crafts and paper pulp

Timber: Lightweight and brittle, used occasionally for fuel or low-grade timber

Firewood: Used for firewood

Wind Break: Suitable for fast-growing windbreaks

Fence: Can be used as a temporary barrier plant

Cover Crop: Not typically used as a cover crop

Mulch: Leaves can be chopped and used as mulch

Nitrogen Fixer: Yes

Dynamic Accumulator: Phosphorus and calcium accumulator (limited evidence)

Pollinator Attractor: Highly attractive to bees and early pollinators

Pest Repellent: Not documented

Wildlife Supporter: Provides early-season forage for pollinators and nesting sites for birds

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