Acacia coriacea - Wiry Wattle

Famille: Leguminosae, Genre: Acacia
Arbre à feuilles persistantes (5m de haut).

Habitat

Exposition
Plein soleil ou mi-ombre
Humidité
Sol sec à moyen.
Sol
Tous sols. Nécessite un sol drainant.
pH
Sol acide ou calcaire
Habitat originel
Deep sandy soils.
Origine géographique
Australia.

Comestibilité

  • Graines - cuites .
  • Sweet and nutritious [193].
  • The seed contains about 20% protein [193].
  • The seed ranges from 4 - 10mm long and 4 - 6mm wide .
  • Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain approx 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat [278].
  • The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present [278].
  • These fatty acids are largely unsaturated which is a distinct health advantage although it presents storage problems as such fats readily oxidise [278].
  • The mean total carbohydrate content of 55.8 + 13.7% is lower than that of lentils, but higher than that of soybeans while the mean fibre content of 32.3 + 14.3% is higher than that of other legumes such as lentils with a level of 11.7% [278].
  • The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480+270 kJ per 100g [278].
  • Wattle seeds are low glycaemic index foods .
  • The starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise [278].
  • Flowers - cooked [144].
  • Rich in pollen, they are often used in fritters .

Autres usages

  • A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers [168].
  • A green dye is obtained from the seed pods [168].
  • The extensive root system of this plant helps to prevent soil erosion [200].
  • The wood has been used for making small tools and implements [278].

Culture

  • Prefers a sandy loam and a very sunny position [1].
  • Réussi dans les sols secs .
  • Succeeds in any good garden soil that is not excessively limey [11].
  • Most species become chlorotic on limey soils [200].
  • Trees are not very hardy outdoors in Britain, even in the mildest areas of the country they are likely to be killed in excessively harsh winters [11].
  • This is one of the most drought-tolerant tropical acacias of North and North West Australia, being able to survive years with no more than 50 mm of rain in 20 days in its native area of distribution .
  • Rainfall in its native habitat varies from 200 to 500 mm .
  • Ces plantes ont une relation symbiotique avec des bactéries du sol qui forment des nodules sur les racines et fixent l'azote atmosphérique .
  • Une partie de cet azote est utilisé par la plante mais une partie est disponible aux autres plantes poussant à proximité [200].

Propagation

  • Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse [1].
  • Stored seed should be scarified, pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in a warm greenhouse in March .
  • The seed germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 25°c [133].
  • Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter .
  • Plant out in early summer and consider giving some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors .
  • Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a frame [78].
  • Overwinter in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in their permanent positions in late spring or early summer .
  • Fair percentage [78].

Calendrier

En feuille
1 - 12

Pollinisation

Type de fleur
Hermaphrodite (les fleurs ont des organes mâles et femelles)
Auto-fertile
Oui

Divers

Pollution
Non

Réferences

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 1951.
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. 1981.
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. 1948.
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[133] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. 1987.
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
[144] Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. 1976.
A very good pocket guide.
[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. 1974.
A very good and readable book on dyeing.
[193] Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. 1989.
Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[278] Lister. P. Wattleseed 0.
A very interesting article on the internet about the Aboriginal uses of the Genus Acacia in Australia.

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