Acacia verticillata ssp. verticillata

Prickly Moses

Variable spreading or erect shrub or small tree.

Additional information

• FamilyFabaceae
• StoreyMiddle storey
• Size2-5 m x 3-5 m
• Plant groupingShrubs 1.5-10 m
• LeavesNarrow to narrow lance-shaped, flat dark green leaves 12-25 mm x 0.5-3 mm wide, in regular whorls (rings) of 6, narrowing gradually to a sharp point. Single-veined on each side.
• Flower colourLight yellow
• Flowering timeJune to December
• FlowersFlowerheads in 1-3 axillary cylindrical spikes more than 1 cm long. Narrow compressed pods are barely constricted between seeds, 2-8 cm x 3-5 mm.
• Bird attractingGeneral - food and habitat
• Butterfly attractingNo
• Frog habitatNo
• Growing conditionsMoist sandy or clay soils of foothill forests, withstanding periods of waterlogging. Shade.
• Garden useExcellent bird habitat in moist or wet areas. Suits winter wet, summer dry sites. Prune for bushiness.
• Commercially availableIndigenous nursery
• Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
• Aboriginal Use Fibre - fishing line
• Related speciesAcacia verticillata ssp. ovoidea is a wiry spreading to prostrate shrub 1-2 m x 3-4 m. It has either scattered or clusters of often flattened leaves. Stalkless or shortly stalked flowerheads are round to egg-shaped and less than 1 cm long. A. verticillata ssp. cephalantha has needle-like foliage and flower spikes less than 1 mm long.

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