770B-2-Acacia-aculeatissima-fl-Murray-Fagg-ANBG.jpg

Acacia aculeatissima

Thin-leaf or Snake Wattle

Low open spreading subshrub, stems ribbed, covered in short stiff hairs.

Additional information

  • FamilyFabaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size0.2-0.5 m x 1-2 m
  • Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
  • LeavesFine prickly foliage 5-12 mm x 0.5-1 mm with 4 veins, often bent downwards.
  • Flower colourLemon-yellow
  • Flowering timeAugust to October
  • Flowers1-3 ball-shaped flowers on individual stalks in leaf axils. Straight or shallowly curved narrow pods to 6 cm long.
  • Bird attractingSeeds, insects
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsWell drained clay soils in rocky areas of Eucalypt woodland and open forest. Semi shade. Occurs in the mountains around the Upper Yarra Dam within the Shire.
  • Garden useAn attractive groundcover for drier shady gardens or planting under established trees. Tolerates dry periods once established.
  • Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
  • Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites. More common outside the Shire boundary.
  • Related speciesDiffers from Acacia ulicifolia and Acacia brownii in that leaves can be bent downwards and individual flowers have 4 petals and sepals.
Photographer/s: 1 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 Murray Fagg © Australian National Botanic Garden; 3 Peter Kinchington ©

Plant Communities

  • 26 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Middle Yarra (EVC 22)
  • 21 Broad-leaf Peppermint Heathy Dry Forest (EVC 20)
  • 16 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest Central Highlands/UpperYarra (EVC 45)
  • Page 1 of 1