ACACIA rhigiophylla

An attractive erect or spreading shrub 1–3 m high with smooth brown bark that produces bright yellow ovate to slightly cylindrical flowers 9-13mm long occur in pairs in the leaf axils, usually occurs from September to October.

Phyllodes (leaves) are rigid and straight 1–2.5 cm long and 1–4 mm wide. Bright yellow ovate to slightly cylindrical flowers 9-13mm long occur in pairs in the leaf axils.

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

Easily grown in most temperate areas and suited to a range of soils including limestone provided it is reasonably free draining. Flowers best in full sun, frost hardy, and drought tolerant.

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 2-3mm deep, 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.