Plant Selection - Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)

Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)

·       Large spreading tree up to 20 metres.

·       Indigenous to Kinglake area.

·       Fast growing with a life span of 30 – 50 years.

·       Suitable for most conditions.

·       Flowers July – November

·       Silvery green/grey foliage.

Attracts a variety of animals.

Flowers: nectar and pollen is food for insects, birds and sugar gliders.      

Seeds: food for seed-eating birds (parrots, pigeons).

Leaves: eaten by caterpillars and insects (stick insects, some beetles)

Gum: high energy food for possums

Galls provide food for rosellas and cockatoos.

Insects pupate under the bark –a favourite food for black cockatoos and gang gangs.

Habitat for small birds to perch and nest (silvereyes).

Aboriginal use:

·       Stone axe handles with the gum used to fasten head to handle. Also boomerangs.

·       Gum was dissolved in water with nectar to make sweet drink.

·       Bark infusions in hot water drunk as remedy for indigestion.

Other uses:

·       Adds nitrogen to the soil that benefits other plants, soil bacteria and fungi (mycorrhizal network).

·       Root system helps with soil stabilization.

·        Fast burning fuel but poor compared to other hardwoods.

·       The gum is soluble in water and was reputedly dissolved in boiling milk and used for dysentery and diarrhea by European settlers.

Propagation:

Regenerates naturally from seed after a disturbance such as fire.

Seed germinates easily after treating with boiling water and soaking overnight.

Caution:

Silver Wattles have a strong spreading root system and should not be planted near septic or sewer connections.

Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)

Features	Habitat	Uses	Propagation	Notes
·    Large, spreading tree up to 20 metres. ·    Indigenous to Kinglake area. ·    Fast growing with a life span of 30 – 50 years. ·    Suitable for most conditions. ·    Flowers July – November ·    Silvery green/grey foliage.	Attracts a variety of animals. Flowers: nectar and pollen is food for insects, birds and sugar gliders.  Seeds: food for seed-eating birds (parrots, pigeons). Leaves: eaten by caterpillars and insects (stick insects, some beetles) Gum: high energy food for possums Galls provide food for rosellas and cockatoos. Insects pupate under the bark –a favourite food for black cockatoos and gang gangs. Habitat for small birds to perch and nest (silvereyes).	Aboriginal use: ·    Stone axe handles with the gum used to fasten head to handle. Also boomerangs. ·    Gum was dissolved in water with nectar to make sweet drink Other uses: ·    Adds nitrogen to the soil that benefits other plants, soil bacteria and fungi (mycorrhizal network). ·    Root system helps with soil stabilization. ·    Fast burning fuel but poor compared to other hardwoods. ·    The gum is soluble in water and was reputedly dissolved in boiling milk and used for dysentery and diarrhea by European settlers.	Regenerates naturally from seed after a disturbance such as fire. Seed germinates easily after treating with boiling water and soaking overnight.	Caution: Silver Wattles have a strong spreading root system and should not be planted near septic or sewer connections.

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