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: Red Wattle

General Information

Acacia flavescens is an unarmed straggling shrub 4 - 6 metres tall, or becoming a small tree with a reasonably straight stem growing up to 10 metres tall[]. 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 plant is sometimes utilized for fuel, and is also planted for soil stabilization[].

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 - Queensland.

Habitat

Coastal lowlands[]. Mainly found on the gently undulating coastal plain, but also extends to the slopes of the coastal ranges and tablelands; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia flavescens is a plant of the lowland tropics and subtropics of eastern Australia, where it is usually found at elevations up to 150 metres, but exceptionally to 1,000 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 34°c, but can tolerate 11 - 38°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -1°c or lower[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,200mm, but tolerates 750 - 3,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds on a wide range of soils from sandy, well-drained, acid to neutral, to laterite ridges[]. Succeeds in poor soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
The plant has the potential to become a weed species in some situations[].
A fast-growing plant[]. In field trials in southeastern Queensland, the species grew well, averaging more than 8 metres in height and 17cm in diameter (at ground level) in 4.5 years[].
The tree coppices vigorously, and shoots vigorously from root suckers if the above-ground parts of the tree are damaged by fire or other agencies[].
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:

A suitable plant for erosion control in fire-prone areas[, ].

Other Uses

The bark contains 10 - 26% tannin[, ]. 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 brown wood is attractively marked, close-grained and hard[, ].
The wood provides a good, dense fuel wood[, ].

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. Seed germinates best at a temperature around 21°c[]. Plants make a deep taproot and resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
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[].
Semi-ripe cuttings of lateral shoots[].

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