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:

General Information

Acacia citrinoviridis is a bushy shrub when young, becoming a small tree with a dense crown when around 3 metres tall and then growing from 5 - 15 metres tall[]. On better-watered sites it may develop into an open, spreading tree to 18 metres tall with a crown spread of 15 metres[]. Root suckers may form thickets following soil disturbance[]. Although it produces true leaves as a seedling, like most members of this section of the genus, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The seed of many Acacia species, including this one, is edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten safely as a fairly major part of the diet. Not all species are edible, however, and some can contain moderate levels of toxins[]. Especially when harvesting from the wild, especial care should be taken to ensure correct identification of any plants harvested for food[].
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 - northwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Usually found along creeks and rivers in sandy rocky beds, and in stony soils in open forests away from watercourses, but always in water gaining situations[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia citrinoviridis is a plant of the warm to hot, arid, subtropical to tropical regions of Western Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 720 metres. The mean annual temperature is in the range of 23 - 27°c, rising to around 40°c in the summer and falling to around 10°c in the winter. Occasional frosts, down to -3°c can occur at some of the higher elevations. Rainfall is very irregular, exceptionall it has been as low as 20mm but is more likely to range between 100 - 300mm[].
Requires a sunny position. Grows in a variety of fine texture soils over coarse gravel and pebbles which are typically slightly to strongly alkaline (pH 7.5-9)[].
Acacia citrinoviridis has horticultural potential for arid and semi-arid areas, particularly on account of its long life span, shapely growth form, profusion of flowers, its attractive, silvery green, grey-green or blue-grey foliage and golden new shoots and young pods[].
A moderately fast-growing species that usually lives for more than 40 years[].
The plant responds well to coppicing and also produces suckers[].
The seeds of most acacia species can be quickly and efficiently harvested at full maturity without the need for any specialised equipment. Small seed-bearing branches can be cut and beaten on sheets, or bushes can be beaten or shaken directly onto large sheets[].
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

Seed - raw or cooked[]. It can be eaten in the same ways as other small legume seeds and is also ground into a powder then used as a flavouring in desserts or as a nutritious supplement to pastries and breads[]. Traditionally, the seed is coarsely ground then dried and eaten raw[, ]. The straight seedpods are 25 - 120mm long, 7 - 15mm wide, containing black or dark brown, almost globose seeds 5 - 6.5mm in diameter[].
Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain around 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480 ±270 kJ per 100g. The seeds are low glycaemic index foods - the starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise[].

The ground seed can be used to produce a high quality, caffeine-free coffee-like beverage[].

An edible gum can be obtained from lesions on the trunk[].

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:

Acacia citrinoviridis has a dense crown and is useful for providing shade, shelter and windbreaks[].
The plant's bushy, root-suckering habit makes it especially suitable for soil protection and plantings to reduce scouring of alluvial deposits during flash floods in arid and semi-arid regions[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown, hard, dense and moderately durable. It can be used for small posts and rough building timbers, and has potential for conversion into small decorative items. It was used traditionally to make items such as boomerangs, fighting sticks and spears[, ].
The dense wood makes an excellent fuel[, ].

Propagation

The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before 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[].

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Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?