common names: long pod wattle
type collected: by A Cunningham & C Fraser separately in 1829
habit: a large shrub or small slender tree to 5 m, branches conspicuously winged and flattened, zigzagging between phyllodes, smooth grey bark. May have more than one stem.
foliage: bright green, elliptic, leathery phyllodes, 5-10 cm x 15-40 mm with 6-9 main nerves, evenly spaced and longitudinal, resinous margins with a fairly distinct gland on the top margin 5-10 mm from the base. New growth sometimes shining red.
flowers: deep bright yellow balls 8-10 mm in diameter, 40-45 individual flowers each, on smooth stalks often found in groups of 4-8, a reduced raceme. Flowers mainly dec-apr, may flower at other times after good rains.
pods: 10-15 cm x 6-10 mm, brown, flat, sometimes covered in bloom, rounded and much raised alternately over seeds, contracted slightly between each seed.
seeds: oval, 4-5 mm x 2.5-3 mm x 2-4 mm thick, dark brown with paler brown markings, longitudinal or slightly oblique in pod. Seed stalk completely encircles seed once in a single fold.
distribution: nowhere really common, restricted to areas of coastal or near coastal NSW nth from Grafton to Bunderberg and further inland in Qld.
notes: A relatively distinctive species with some similarity to a. homoclada, which usually has narrower and more elongated phyllodes. Aborigenes used it as a source of fibre for ropes, bags etc. Apparently has edible seeds (un/ cooked?). Suitable for cultivation, can prune after flowering. I have seen it flowering in may and nov as well, may flower quite prolifically in cultivation.