To cultivate a plant successfully, an understanding of the conditions (soil and climate) in which it likes to grow can be of great assistance. Therefore, a knowledge of natural distribution is important.

The four Acacias discussed here have a much wider distribution than previously thought. We have found these Acacias growing in or about the White Mountains - an unexplored and inaccessible sandstone area of great scenic beauty and ruggedness, about 70km north of Torrens Creek. Access to the area is difficult and through private property, for which permission is required.
 
 

Acacia macradenia. A. macradenia is an attractive, tall, spreading shrub commonly called the Zig-Zag Wattle because the branchlets noticeably zig-zag from node to node. The dark green, leathery, falcate phyllodes are usually drooping. Large, spectacular clusters of bright yellow, ball-shaped flowers in winter make it a particularly attractive wattle. It occurs on sandy or stony soils, often near creeks, in central inland Queensland, from the Tropic of Capricorn south to the latitude of Mitchell. It has also been recorded as occurring uncommonly at the Burra Range between Pentland and Torrens Creek, which is several hundred kilometres from its main distribution. (Ed.: A form of A. macradenia also occurs around Proston in southern Queensland.) We have found it to be quite common in a locality stretching from the Burra Range north-west to the White Mountains, over a distance of about 70km as the crow flies. A. macradenia is very common in the sandy creek banks of the White Mountains.

Zig-Zag Wattle Acacia macradenia. Family Mimosaceae.

 

Acacia bancroftii.

A. bancroftii is a decorative species common on shallow stony soils in inland central Queensland. It is a shrub to small tree, commonly cultivated for its large phyllodes, attractive purple new growth and smooth pale stems. Bright yellow, ball-shaped flower-heads are produced in sprays in late autumn and winter.

Its distribution ranges from Kingaroy in the south to near Collinsville in the north. We have found a large stand of it in a new locality at the Sandstone Wall, 60km north of Torrens Creek. In some places on the Sandstone Wall it forms pure stands having the appearance of an A. bancroftii forest.
 
 

Acacia uncifera. A. uncifera is a rare Queensland wattle. It occurs in only two very restricted localities - in Salvador Rosa National park at the headwaters of the Nogoa River and 550km to the north at the Burra Range. Both localities cover only a very small area. We have found the Burra Range locality to be a great deal more extensive than previously thought. A. uncifera can be found commonly on sandstone from the Burra Range north-west to the White Mountains over a distance of about 70km (covering several thousand acrea). It is very common in the White Mountains itself. A. uncifera is an attractive shrub, very worthy of cultivation. Its phyllodes and branchlets have a velvety appearance due to a dense cover of soft hairs. Sprays of bright yellow, globular flowers occur from winter into early spring. It is good to find that such a rare plant has a more extended distribution, especially as the ruggedness and inaccessibility of the country in which it grows affords it a great deal of protection. Most of the area is not used or visited a great deal by humans and is too rugged for cattle or even feral pigs.

A Wattle. Acacia uncifera. Family Mimosaceae.

 

Acacia triptera. A. triptera is an attractive, spreading, much-branched shrub. The phyllodes (usually curved) are decurrent on the stem and viciously pungent-pointed, which is why it has the common name of Spur-wing Wattle. In dry conditions it retains its attractive shape, but its foliage changes from green to a very striking bright red-maroon. Bright yellow, rod-like flower heads are produced quite profusely from early spring to early summer. It forms dense stands in eucalypt woodland on hard, shallow soils. In Queensland it is common in the Miles-Chinchilla area, although it does occur as far north as Springsure, with an isolated occurrence near Collinsville. It seems, though, that basically it is a New South Wales plant, with a range extending north into Queensland and south into Victoria. It is therefore interesting to find that its far northern distribution is not restricted to the Collinsville area, but that it is also found much further west (on about the same latitude) at the headwaters of Torrens Creek. Even in this hot, dry northern outpost of its distribution, A. triptera has the same characteristic attractive shape of the southern plants and it reportedly flowers in spectacular profusion in a good year. Since its distribution is wider than commonly thought, perhaps it should be given more consideration for cultivation in northern gardens.

Spur-wing Wattle Acacia triptera. Family Mimosaceae.