SafePlants

Acacia parvipinnula: The Silver-Stem Wattle

Explore the fascinating Silver-Stem Wattle, scientifically known as Acacia parvipinnula. This evergreen tree, a member of the Dicot group, boasts attractive foliage and a notable growth habit.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant has stems.
• The plant contains leaves.

Considerations for Children

• The plant has stems.
• The plant contains leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acacia parvipinnula Tindale
• Common Names: Silver-Stem Wattle, Warrandyte's Wattles, Parramatta Wattle
• Nomenclatural Reference: Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales lxxxv. 249 (1960)
• Rank: Species
• Family: Fabaceae (mentioned alongside other Acacia species)
• Group: Dicot
• Synonym: Racosperma parvipinnulum (Tindale) Pedley (Basionym)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to southeastern Australia (Acacia dealbata - Silver Wattle)

Ecological Role

• Impacts: As a nitrogen-fixing species, it can often be the first tree to grow in disturbed areas.
• Can be invasive in certain regions, affecting the growth of other species like mountain ash.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Plant Type: Evergreen tree
• Variable tree from multi-stemmed shrub-like specimens of 8 m to tall trees of 30 m.
• Fast-growing species that can reach heights of around 30 meters and a stem diameter of up to 75 centimeters.
• Foliage color ranges from light or dark green to blue or silver-grey.
• Stems: Branchlets green to powdery silver grey, angular or flattened, usually hairy.
• Frond-like leaves (20-30 cm) are arranged alternately on stems, twice divided along the midribs, with 10-21 pairs of main subdivisions, and 25-40 pairs of bluish leaflets.
• Leaves (phyllodes): Alternately arranged along the stems, relatively thin.

Growing Conditions

• Hardiness Zones: 9-10
• Sunlight: Hot overhead sun to warm low sun
• Soil Moisture: Dry between watering to constantly moist

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Good for birds and insects (Acacia dealbata)

Quirky Facts

• The silver wattle was preferred for construction because the stems are straighter.

Related Plants

• Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle): Variable tree from multi -stemmed shrub-like specimens of 8 m to tall trees of 30 m.
• Acacia adunca (Wallangarra Wattle)
• Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)
• Acacia podalyriifolia (Queensland Silver Wattle)
• Acacia spectabilis (Gmory Wattle, Mudgee Wattle, Pilliga Wattle)