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Golden Wattle

The species name pycnantha from the Greek (pyknos) meaning dense, and (anthos) meaning a flower, refers to the dense clusters of flowers.

Small shrub or tree. Usually 3 - 8 m high.

Leaves

Has phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks) that are pinnate (arranged opposite each other on either side of the stem) and sickle-shaped 9 - 15 cm long and 1 - 3.5 cm wide; branchlets on leaves are hairy, sometimes covered in white powdery granules.

Flowers

Bright golden and sometimes lemon-yellow ball-shaped inflorescences (clusters flowers arranged on a stem). Flowers appear in late winter and spring and into early summer (July to November).

Fruits/Seeds

Long seed pods are more or less oblong, 5.5-6cm long, seeds somewhat shiny, black and club-shaped.

Field Guide

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  • Species Category: Plants
  • Species origin: Native
  • Conservation status: Common

  • What to Observe

    • First fully open single flower (each ‘flower ball’ is actually a cluster of 40-80 flowers)

    • Full flowering (record all days)

    • End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)

    • No flowering

    • Open Seed pods (record all days)

    Climate Adaptations

    The Golden Wattle is expected to alter its shooting and flowering periods as a result of climate change impacting temperature and rainfall. They may also start appearing in new areas, as climate change enables them to live in environments that were previously unsuitable for them.

  • When and Where

    When To Look

    • From autumn throughout spring and early summer
    • Flowers appear from July to November
    • Seed pods appear after flowers

    Where To Look

    • South Australia, Victoria, NSW and the Australian Capital Territory
    • In the understorey of open forest or woodland and in open scrub formations

  • What Else?

    It was made the official floral emblem of Australia in 1988.

    A flower in an inflorescence are referred to as ‘florets’.
  • Trails: Anakie Gorge VIC, Bendigo Kennington Reservoir VIC, Ecolinc Bacchus Marsh VIC, Gresswell Forest VIC, Reedy Swamp Shepparton VIC, Urrbrae Wetland SA, Yarra River Main Yarra Trail opp Darling Gardens VIC, Valley Lake SA
  • Species Region: Australia