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Useful Temperate Plants

Acacia jennerae

Maiden

Fabaceae


Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species (including this one) should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to the genera Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia and Vachellia[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Acacia jennerae is a shrub or a tree that can grow 2 - 6 metres tall[
286
Title
Flora of Australia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.
]. It is sometimes single-stemmed but more commonly divides at ground level into 2 or more, straight, rather slender stems[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The plant often suckers and can form dense thickets[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Although it produces true leaves as a seedling, llike most members of this section of the genus, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[
286
Title
Flora of Australia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It has been suggested as a potential commercial seed crop for areas such as Western Australia and other hot, dry regions of the world[
1293
Title
Domestication of wattles with edible seeds for the wheatbelt of Western Australia
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 170-180 (2002)
Author
McDonald M.W.; Maslin B.R.; Thomson L.A.J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The plant can be used as a soil stabilizer and wind shelter and also has potential as an ornamental[
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Known Hazards

The seed of many Acacia species, including this one, is edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten safely as a fairly major part of the diet. Not all species are edible, however, and some can contain moderate levels of toxins[
1295
Title
Acacia in Australia: Ethnobotany and Potential Food Crop
Publication
Janick (ed.), Progress in new crops pp 228-236, (1996) ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Author
Lister P.R.; Holford P.; Haigh T.; Morrison D.A.
Website
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/v3-toc.html
Publisher
ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Year
1996
ISBN
0-9615027-3-8
Description
 
]. Especially when harvesting from the wild, especial care should be taken to ensure correct identification of any plants harvested for food[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References

286
Title
Flora of Australia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.

Range

Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid areas[
286
Title
Flora of Australia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.
]. Eucalyptus woodland, growing on acid to neutral sands and loams, commonly in dune swales or along drainage lines, including the margins of salt lakes[
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitTree
Height4.00 m
Growth RateMedium
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Acacia jennerae is a plant of the arid to semi-arid temperate and subtropical zones of Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 12 - 30°c, but can tolerate 5 - 36°c[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -10°c, but young growth is more tender can be severely damaged at -1°c[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
,
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 250 - 300mm, but tolerates 200 - 350mm[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
Requires a sunny position[
41
Title
Good Fruit Guide.
Publication
 
Author
Hills. L.
Publisher
Henry Doubleday Research Ass.
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated now, it lists a good range of fruit trees and shrubs with brief descriptions of most of them and details of where they can be obtained.
]. Grows best in a well-drained, sandy soil of moderate to low fertility[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. Tolerant of somewhat saline soils[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 7.5[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. Established plants are drought tolerant[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
Plants sucker freely and also coppice well. Although top growth is usually killed, the plants usually survive fires by resprouting at the base[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Plants have a moderate rate of growth[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The seeds of most acacia species can be quickly and efficiently harvested at full maturity without the need for any specialised equipment. Small seed-bearing branches can be cut and beaten on sheets, or bushes can be beaten or shaken directly onto large sheets[
1294
Title
Potential of Australian Acacias in combating hunger in semi-arid lands
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3):161-169 (2002)
Author
Rinaudo A.; Patel P.; Thomson L.A.J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
In the past the species has commonly been confused with Acacia microbotrya, especially where their ranges overlap in Western Australia[
286
Title
Flora of Australia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.
].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[
1292
Title
Acacia species as large-scale crop plants in theWestern Australian wheatbelt
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 96-108 (2002)
Author
Bartle J.; Cooper D.; Olsen G.; Carslake J.
Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283798072
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
1293
Title
Domestication of wattles with edible seeds for the wheatbelt of Western Australia
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3) : 170-180 (2002)
Author
McDonald M.W.; Maslin B.R.; Thomson L.A.J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
1295
Title
Acacia in Australia: Ethnobotany and Potential Food Crop
Publication
Janick (ed.), Progress in new crops pp 228-236, (1996) ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Author
Lister P.R.; Holford P.; Haigh T.; Morrison D.A.
Website
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/v3-toc.html
Publisher
ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Year
1996
ISBN
0-9615027-3-8
Description
 
]. Highly regarded as a food by the native Aboriginal people of Australia, where the seed may be consumed either green or, if mature, can be roasted and ground into flour[
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It can be eaten in the same ways as other small legume seeds and is also ground into a powder then used as a flavouring in desserts or as a nutritious supplement to pastries and breads[
1295
Title
Acacia in Australia: Ethnobotany and Potential Food Crop
Publication
Janick (ed.), Progress in new crops pp 228-236, (1996) ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Author
Lister P.R.; Holford P.; Haigh T.; Morrison D.A.
Website
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/v3-toc.html
Publisher
ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Year
1996
ISBN
0-9615027-3-8
Description
 
].
The seedpods are up to 15cm long and 6 - 8mm wide, with dull black, oblong seeds 6 - 8mm long[
286
Title
Flora of Australia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/abif/flora/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The full information from the Flora of Australia - on-line. An excellent resource.
].
Acacia seeds are highly nutritious and contain around 26% protein, 26% available carbohydrate, 32% fibre and 9% fat. The fat content is higher than most legumes with the aril providing the bulk of fatty acids present. These fatty acids are largely unsaturated. The energy content is high in all species tested, averaging 1480 ±270 kJ per 100g. The seeds are low glycaemic index foods - the starch is digested and absorbed very slowly, producing a small, but sustained rise in blood glucose and so delaying the onset of exhaustion in prolonged exercise[
1295
Title
Acacia in Australia: Ethnobotany and Potential Food Crop
Publication
Janick (ed.), Progress in new crops pp 228-236, (1996) ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Author
Lister P.R.; Holford P.; Haigh T.; Morrison D.A.
Website
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/v3-toc.html
Publisher
ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Year
1996
ISBN
0-9615027-3-8
Description
 
].

The ground seed can be used to produce a high quality, caffeine-free coffee-like beverage[
1295
Title
Acacia in Australia: Ethnobotany and Potential Food Crop
Publication
Janick (ed.), Progress in new crops pp 228-236, (1996) ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Author
Lister P.R.; Holford P.; Haigh T.; Morrison D.A.
Website
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1996/v3-toc.html
Publisher
ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
Year
1996
ISBN
0-9615027-3-8
Description
 
].

An edible gum exudes from the trunk and branches[
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Medicinal

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[
601
Title
The Useful Native Plants of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Maiden J.H.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Turner & Co.; London.
Year
1889
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[
601
Title
The Useful Native Plants of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
Maiden J.H.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Turner & Co.; London.
Year
1889
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant's suckering habit and salt tolerance suggest it would be useful for soil stabilisation in some saline areas. With age the plants attain a height and form suitable for use as a visual screen and in shelterbelt plantings as a low windbreak and for providing shade for stock and wildlife[
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Other Uses

The tree is a potential source of firewood in hot, dry areas[
1297
Title
Wattles of the Kalannie region: their identification, characteristics and utilisation
Publication
 
Author
Maslin B.R.
Website
http://worldwidewattle.com/
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
 
Description
Produced on a CDROM, a database of Acacias growing in a region of Western Australia. Fact sheets for individual species can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].The dried seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed in Spring in a greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[
1294
Title
Potential of Australian Acacias in combating hunger in semi-arid lands
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3):161-169 (2002)
Author
Rinaudo A.; Patel P.; Thomson L.A.J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-10-07. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Acacia+jennerae>

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