Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species (including this one) should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to the genera Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia[].

Common Name: Golden Flower Salwood

General Information

Golden flower salwood is an attractive evergreen shrub or tree that ranges widely in size. In some situations a small shrub only 3 metres tall, it can range in size right up to a slender, large tree with a light to moderate crown that can be as much as 40 metres tall. The bole in larger trees can be free of branches for up to 21 metres with a bole up to 100cm in diameter[, ]. The bole is sometimes fluted[]. Although it produces leaves as a seedling, llike most members of the genus the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The tree is cultivated as a source of timber, and is also sometimes grown for ornament.
Part of the range is subject to logging. Continued exploitation and habitat destruction have reduced the number of mature individuals and, if not halted, will render the species as a whole vulnerable. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References

Range

Australia - New South Wales and Queensland, north to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Habitat

Found in a range of habitats, mainly open forest, it is one of the few acacia species found in rainforest[]. Grows on undulating highlands, ridges, steep rocky slopes, as well as flat and gently undulating terrain of coastal plains and foothills[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of low to moderate elevations, it is mainly found in warm to hot humid and sub-humid zones of the tropics and subtropics, at the latitudinal range of 6 - 31°c[]. It is able, however, to thrive in a range of climate conditions, succeeding in areas with a mean annual rainfall in the range of 500 - 3,000 mm and a mean annual temperature varying from a minimum of 10 - 21°c up to 29 - 38°c[]. It can tolerate occasional mild frosts[].
Succeeds in a range of soils from freely to imperfectly drained, usually acid or very acid and of low fertility[]. It is found frequently on yellow soils, red or yellow podzolics that are usually acidic or very acid (pH 3.5 - 6) and of low fertility, and on sandy clay soils[]. It tolerates a wide pH range[].
The tree is cultivated as a source of timber outside its native range. In at least one region (the Cook Islands in the Pacific), it has escaped from cultivation and become established in the wild[].
The main and lateral shoots grow almost throughout the year, but growth may stagnate during the very hot and dry season[].
Trees can attain 12 - 16 metres in height and 11 - 14 cm in diameter in 4 years[].
Trees generally start to flower after 3 years. The seeds mature 4 - 5 months after flowering and it is not unusual for the tree to produce 2 seed crops a year[].
A spacing of 3 - 4 x 3 - 4 metres is considered suitable for firewood and pulpwood plantations[].
The tree competes well with weeds, including Imperata cylindrica[]. In plantations with 2 - 3 x 2 - 3 metres spacing, it will totally suppress the weed within 2 - 3 years[]. However, weed control is necessary in the first 2 years to help establishment[].
An 8 - 10-year rotation is recommended for pulpwood plantations, and a 15 - 20-year rotation for saw logs.
The tendency of the tree to have a fluted stem may reduce its value for purposes such as veneer. Selection of a suitable provenance will be necessary to obtain optimum results[].
Two varieties are recognised:-
Var fruticosa is a bushy shrub growing up to 3 metres tall[].
Var aulacocarpa is usually a tree 10 - 20 metres tall, but it ranges from a shrub of 4 metres on xeric sites to a large tree up to 40 metres tall in tropical rainforest[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[, ].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[].

Agroforestry Uses:

With its light to moderate crown and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, this species is a useful shade tree for plantations[]. It is also a popular species for the reforestation of poor soils[].

Other Uses

The inner bark is a source of tannins[, ]. Bark harvested for its tannins should only be taken from mature stems, and only when the sap is rising at the beginning of the growing season - which is when the tannin content is highest and the bark is most easily removed from the wood[].

The heartwood is a pale olive-brown to grey-brown, often attractively streaked with grey bands; it is distinctly demarcated from the narrow band of creamy yellow to straw-coloured sapwood[]. The wood is hard, heavy, moderately durable and tough[]. It is used as a construction timber, for furniture and cabinetwork, flooring, boat building, tool handles, boxes and crates, joinery and turnery[].
The wood has excellent potential as a source of fibre for the pulping and paper-making industries, producing one of the strongest bleached kraft pulps among acacias[].
The wood dries rapidly and splits easily. It is an excellent fuel with an energy value of 21,600 kJ/kg[, ]. Charcoal made from the wood has a density of 500 kg/cubic metre at 12.5% moisture and an energy value of 37 100 kJ/kg[].

Propagation

Seed - requires pre-treatment to break down the hard coat[]. Pouring a small amount of boiling water over the seeds (which cools down quickly and so does not cook the seed), and then leaving to soak for 12 hours is usually effective, as is making a small incision in the coat to allow water to penetrate. Mature seeds germinate readily. Treated seeds are sown in germination beds, and seedlings are transplanted into polythene bags when they reach the 2-leaf-pair stage. Seeds can also be sown straight into polythene bags. Young seedlings should initially be kept at 50% sunlight, but this can be increased to 70% once they have been established. Excess shading often results in attack by mildew and other fungi in damping off. Adult foliage is reached about 6 weeks after germination[]. In general, the seedlings are ready for transplanting 3 - 4 months after sowing[].
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[].
Cuttings.
Air layering.

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