Kangaroo wattle

Kangaroo wattle

Acacia paradoxa

Common Name:

Kangaroo wattle

Scientific Name:

Acacia paradoxa


Alternative common names:

Description:

A densely, leafed spiny shrub originating from Australia, grows up to 3m tall and 3.5m wide, and it is only present on Devil's Peak on Table Mountain, in the Western Cape. Bright yellow fluffy blooms of globe-shaped flowers in dense terminal sprays appear in August to October. The short- stalked seed pods are brown, straight or slightly curved and are covered in white-woolly hairs.

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Australia

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

Existing legislation: CARA 2002 - Category 1 NEMBA - Category 1a

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Western Cape

How does it spread?

Seed dispersal

Why is it a problem?

Competes with and has the potential to replace indigenous species.

What does it look like?

-Bark: Finely fissured and brownish-grey in colour
-Leaves: Dark green, waxy, asymmetric leaves
-Flowers: Golden-yellow, fluffy blooms forming dense terminal sprays appear in August to December. The globe-shaped flower heads are 12mm across and arise from axillary stalks
-Fruit/seeds: Small short-stalked brown pods, covered in white-woolly hairs.

Does the plant have any uses?

Cultivated for hedging

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