Common name: Earleaf Acacia, Ear-pod Wattle, Papuan Wattle, Auri,
Northern Black Wattle
Botanical name: Acacia auriculiformis Family: Mimosaceae (touch-me-not family)
Earleaf Acacia is an evergreen, unarmed tree to 15 m (50 ft) tall, with compact
spread, often multi-stemmed; young growth glaucous. Leaves alternate, simple,
reduced to phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks), these blade-like, slightly
curved, 5-8 in long. Flowers in loose, yellow-orange spikes at leaf axils or
in clusters of spikes at stem tips; flowers mimosa-like, with numerous free
stamens. Fruit a flat, oblong pod, twisted
at maturity. It's roots are very strong and
can break through concrete, ruining sidewalks and driveways and pushing out
other vegetation. Used for the cultivation of the lac insect in India.
This plant is native to southeast Asia, Indonesia, Papua New
Guinia and Australia.
| Photographed in Lodhi Garden,
Delhi. |
Identification credit: R.K. Nimai Singh
|
ntroduced
