Black Wattle, Ear-pod Wattle
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Form and Size: Large shrub or medium tree to 20m. Generally wide spreading and having dense foliage and round crown.
Distribution: Cape York, Qld. and N.T.; in coastal forests or along freshwater streams.
Phyllodes: Smooth, sickle-shaped, 10-17cm x 1.5-3.5cm; glossy dark green with 3 prominent longitudinal veins.
Bark: Dark, hard and furrowed, particularly toward the base.
Flowers: Yellow cylindrical spikes, 5-8cm long, usually in pairs in the leaf axils.
Flowering Period: May to August.
Fruit: Pods, twisted, dark brown, woody, 5- 7cm x 1.5cm. Seeds are black with bright orange red aril.
Distinctive Features: A. polystachya has a similar appearance, however pods are smooth, flat, whitish and 8-10cm long.
Cultivation/Notes: Propagate from treated seed. Fast growing and valuable for land rehabilitation work.