Acacia dunnii

	Acacia dunnii
	Acacia dunnii, also called the "Elephant Ear Wattle"

General Plant Info

Acacia dunnii, also called the "Elephant Ear Wattle" for it's distinctively large phyllodes. It has the LARGEST phyllodes of all acacias!

It is an erect, slender, sparsely branched shrub or tree, which grows to 1.5 to 7m high

Skeletal soils over sandstone, basalt or quartzite. Ridges, stony hills, amongst rocks

It has a Lignotuber, which is a woody swelling of the root crown. The crown stores starch which can be used to support periods of growth in the absence of photosynthesis. The crown acts to protect it from destruction such as fire, and contains buds from which new stems can sprout.

Geographic distribution

A very interesting species, it is native from northern Western Australia, and is also found in the Kimberleys in the Northern Territory. It has been also introduced to West Africa

Beard’s Provinces: Northern Province.

IBRA Regions: Central Kimberley, Northern Kimberley, Ord Victoria Plain, Victoria Bonaparte.

IBRA Subregions: Berkeley, Mitchell, Ord, Ord-Victoria Plains P1, Pentecost, Victoria Bonaparte P1.

IMCRA Regions: Cambridge-Bonaparte, Kimberley.

Local Government Areas (LGAs): Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, Wyndham-East Kimberley.

Identification

Erect, slender, pruinose shrub or tree, 1.5-7m high. Lignotuberous.

Large, falcate, glaucous phyllodes to 30 cm long by 20 cm wide, which grow on the trunk and persist for many years.

Golden ball flowers, 2 cm diameter most of the year.

Alkaloid content

Other uses

A unique plant to grow for it distinctive phyllodes.

Recommended for its foliage. May be used as a feature plant.

Extraction

Cultivation

It likes well drained, gravelly soil. Prefers regular watering. Tolerant of extended dry periods but damaged by frost

Also suitable for planting in tropical areas and arid areas

Propagation Information: Seed germinates readily. Pour boiling water over seed and let soak overnight. Drench seed with a fungicide to prevent "Damping Off" after sowing.