Acacia complanata
flat-stemmed wattle
Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales)
Overview
Acacia complanata is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the pea family, growing 3-13 feet (1-4 m) tall with an upright to bushy form. Its branchlets are flattened and winged, the source of the common name flat-stemmed wattle, and like most Australian wattles it bears phyllodes, flattened leaf-stalks that act as leaves, rather than true compound foliage. The phyllodes are broad, curved, and sickle-shaped, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, with several prominent veins. In spring, rounded heads of tiny bright yellow flowers form in the phyllode axils, scenting the air around the plant. Long, narrow, curved or coiled seed pods follow flowering and ripen brown. The species grows in open eucalypt forest and woodland on sandy and gravelly soils in coastal and subcoastal Queensland and northern New South Wales. It is fast growing but, like many wattles, relatively short-lived, often declining after ten to fifteen years. The yellow spring flowers and winged stems suit native screens, wildlife gardens, and quick filler planting in warm, frost-free to light-frost climates.
Native Range
Acacia complanata is native to eastern Australia, from coastal and subcoastal Queensland south into northeastern New South Wales. It grows in open eucalypt forest and woodland on sandy and gravelly, well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Grown as a fast native screen, in wildlife gardens, and as quick filler among slower-growing plants in warm, frost-free to light-frost climates. The spring flowers and winged stems suit informal native borders and revegetation. A short lifespan means it is usually replaced as longer-lived plants establish.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 13'
Width/Spread5' - 10'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, mainly August to October in its native range, when rounded heads of bright yellow flowers open in the phyllode axils. The flowers carry a light fragrance. Long curved or coiled pods then develop and ripen brown through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight