Acacia ligulata
dune wattle
Overview
Acacia ligulata is a dense, rounded evergreen shrub of the pea family, growing 3-13 feet (1-4 m) tall and often as wide. In place of true leaves it bears thick, narrow-oblong phyllodes 1.2-3 inches (3-8 cm) long and up to 0.5 inch (12 mm) wide, grey-green and tipped with a small gland. Golden-yellow globular flower heads about 0.3 inch (7-8 mm) across appear in branched clusters, mainly from late winter into spring with sporadic flushes after rain at other times. Curved to twisted reddish pods follow, holding dark seeds wrapped in a bright red or orange aril that draws birds. Native across arid and semi-arid Australia, it grows on coastal and inland dunes, sandplains, and rocky rises in every mainland state. The species withstands drought, heat, wind, and saline soils, and is widely planted for dune stabilization and shelter. Its dense habit shelters small birds, though the shrub is relatively short-lived, often declining after ten to fifteen years, and can sucker or self-seed into surrounding ground. Growth is rapid in open sun, with flowering beginning within two to three years of planting.
Native Range
Native to arid and semi-arid mainland Australia, occurring in all mainland states across sand dunes, sandplains, and rocky inland rises. It is a widespread wattle of the dry interior and southern coasts.Suggested Uses
Used for dune and bank stabilization, windbreaks, screening, and habitat plantings in dry and coastal gardens. Suited to low-water and native landscapes, spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) apart for a continuous screen.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 13'
Width/Spread5' - 13'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Main flowering runs from late winter into spring, roughly July to October, with scattered flushes after rain at other times. Small golden globular heads cluster among the phyllodes and draw bees and other insects. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 7-12 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