Description ⁵

Acacia alata is a frost-hardy, large, multi-branched shrub, typically growing to a height of 0.3 to 2.1 metres (1.0 to 6.9 ft) and 1 m (3.3 ft) across. Its branchlets are often bent alternately in different directions.

The phyllodes (modified petioles) are reduced in size and give the impression of cladodes (branches that resemble leaves). The wings of these phyllodes are usually 2 to 20 millimetres (0.08 to 0.79 in) wide and 5 to 70 mm (0.20 to 2.76 in) long. Furthermore, each phyllode extends into a spine. Tolerate frosts to −7 °C (19 °F).

A. alata blooms between April and December. The inflorescence is simple with mostly two flowers per axil, but sometimes distributed in racemes. The globular heads contain 4 to 15 flowers. These flowers can be white, cream-coloured or golden yellow. The last flower form is preferred for cultivation.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Leon Perrie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by Leon Perrie
2. (c) Catherine Clowes, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/156978158@N03/38464729842/
3. (c) Jean and Fred, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/7635966612/
4. (c) Charles Stirton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Charles Stirton
5. Adapted by Loxley Fedec from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_alata

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Atlas of Living Australia
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• eFloras.org
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
• SEINet Symbiota portals
• Tropicos
• World Flora Online

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