ACACIA oxycedrus

A shrub to 3 metres with a stiff erect stem and straggling branches that produce attractive deep cream-yellow rod-shaped flowers 2.5 cm long during spring and summer.
The phyllodes (leaves) are stiff, flat, and sharp, 2-3 cm long.

Endemic to New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria.

Prefers light to medium soils that are well-drained. Open sunny position, drought and frost resistant.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoiding the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.

Acacia seeds germinate readily, however, they do have a hard outer coating that is impervious to water and generally, germination will normally not occur unless the seed is scarified by abrading or pre-treated with boiling water first.

1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just-boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
2. The swollen seed can then be sown, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow seed 3-4mm deep and keep warm & moist but not wet.
4. Germination should occur in 10-21 days @ 18-22C.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.