Why are acacias called wattle in Australia?
Acacias are called wattle in Australia because early British settlers used their flexible branches to make wattle-and-daub walls, weaving thin sticks into frames that were then plastered with mud.
Wattle and daub was a traditional building technique in Britain. When colonists arrived in Sydney, they found local acacia branches suitable for weaving, and the name wattle soon stuck to the plants themselves.
Australia has around 1,000 species of acacia, more than any other country, making it the largest genus of flowering plants on the continent. They range from small shrubs to tall trees and grow in almost every habitat, from rainforest edges to deserts.
Flowers and seeds
Most wattles have fluffy yellow or cream flowers, made up of many tiny flowers packed into balls or spikes. Many species flower in late winter and spring, painting the bush gold.
Aboriginal people have long used wattle seeds as food, grinding them into flour. Today wattleseed is used in bush food products, from bread to ice cream.
Many acacias have flattened leaf stalks called phyllodes instead of true leaves, which help reduce water loss. Their roots also host bacteria that fix nitrogen, improving poor soils.
Did You Know?
National Wattle Day is celebrated on 1 September each year.