Acacia myrtifolia
myrtle wattle
Overview
Acacia myrtifolia is an evergreen shrub native to southern Australia, growing 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall with an open, spreading habit. Unlike the narrow foliage of many wattles, it bears broad, flattened phyllodes that are oval to lance-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, leathery, and edged with a thickened reddish margin; new stems are also reddish, giving the plant subtle colour year round. From late autumn into spring it carries cream to pale yellow globular flower heads, each about 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) across, in short clusters at the leaf bases. These are followed by curved, reddish-brown seed pods 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long. The species grows in heathland, dry forest, and coastal scrub on well-drained sandy and rocky soils, and tolerates exposed coastal sites. Like many wattles it is relatively short-lived, often declining after 10 to 15 years. As a legume it fixes nitrogen and grows on low-fertility ground.
Native Range
Native to southern Australia across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and southern Queensland, growing in heathland, dry forest, and coastal scrub.Suggested Uses
Grown in native gardens, coastal plantings, and revegetation for its winter flowers and reddish stems, and used as an informal screen or filler shrub. Suited to low-water gardens on free-draining soils. Its short lifespan is the main limitation.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 10'
Width/Spread5' - 10'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to pale yellowFoliage Description
green with reddish marginsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-9 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