Common Name:

General Information

Acacia lasiocalyx is a shrub growing 2 - 3 metres tall, sometimes becoming an erect tree with a spreading, open crown and able to grow up to 10 metres tall[]. Plants growing at the base of granite rocks often form dense colonies and attain an arborescent habit, the main trunk more erect and straight than those of plants occurring elsewhere[]. The bole of larger trees can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[]. Although it produces true leaves as a seedling, like most members of this section of the genus, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes[].
The plant is little known in cultivation, but is said to have reasonably good prospects for development as a crop plant for high volume wood production[].

Known Hazards

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

Range

Australia - southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Mallee woodland, mallee heath and open heath, growing in sand, gravelly sand, loamy sand, clayey sand and loam, commonly on slopes of granitic hills, granite outcrops and around such granitic sites, but also on sandplains and on laterite[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acacia lasiocalyx is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern Australia, where it can be found at elevations up to 470 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean maximum temperature of the hottest months can reach 26 - 35°c, and the mean minimum in the coldest month can fall to 4 - 9°c. The plant can experience moderate frosts, down to around -5°c for short periods. Mean annual rainfall can vary from 250 - 550mm, with a variable dry season that can range from 6 - 12 months[].
Requires a sunny position.
A moderately fast growing tree which has a life-span of perhaps 20 - 40 years[].
The tree is unlikely to sucker; it’s coppicing/pollarding ability is unknown but is probably unlikely[].
Acacia lasiocalyx is a decorative, long-lived small tree useful for providing shade in amenity plantings[].
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

None known

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[, ].
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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The species is worth investigating for use in shelterbelt planting. Its growth form is suited to providing windbreaks and visual screens, as well as shade and shelter for both stock and wildlife[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellowish or pale brown. It is moderately dense[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse[].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[].
Cuttings