Acacia terminalis

	Acacia terminalis

General Plant Info

Acacia terminalis, known as "Sunshine wattle", is an Australian native whose range extends through New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. It is a very variable plant in habit, ranging from a small shrub about 1 metre in height to a small tree up 6 metres tall. It has glabrous to densely hairy branchlets, smooth or finely fissured grey or brown bark, and retains the bipinnate leaves throughout its adult life.

Four subspecies have been recognised, although there are hybrids especially around Sydney:

Acacia terminalis subsp. angustifolia

Acacia terminalis subsp. aurea

Acacia terminalis subsp. longiaxialis

Acacia terminalis subsp. terminalis: listed as an Endangered Species. It is rare and confined to the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney,between Cronulla and Manly

Geographic distribution

Identification

Alkaloid content

Extraction

Other uses

Useed for screen, windbreak.

Cultivation

Acacia terminalis is an attractive garden plant that grows quickly and flowers within one or two years from seed. It is reliable in a range of soils but is reported to be short lived due to attack by borers. However, it is easily propagated and readily replaced. It flowers best in full sun or dappled shade.

Moderately frost hardy. Very drought resistant once established. Moderately wind firm. Tip prune only. Does not respond to hard pruning.

Propagation is relatively easy by normal seed raising methods following pretreatment by soaking in boiling water or by scarification. Cuttings may be successful but the percentage strike rate is likely to be low.