ACACIA urophylla

Acacia urophylla is a slender open shrub that grows from 1 m to 3 m tall with a similar spread that produces pale yellow or cream spherical in shape flowers during winter and spring between May and October. Flowers are followed by twisted seed pods that to 14 cm long and up to 4 mm wide.

Prefers light to medium soil in a sunny position. Drought and coastal exposure tolerant.

Occurs naturally coastal plains and Jarrah forests of the South West Province of Western Australia from Perth to Esperance.

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, 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, 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 the 3-4mm 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.