Acacia pravissima

Ovens wattle
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Clade:	Mimosoid clade
Genus:	Acacia
Species:	A. pravissima
Binomial name
Acacia pravissima F.Muell.
Occurrence data from AVH

Acacia pravissima, also called Ovens wattle, Oven wattle, wedge-leaved wattle, or Tumut wattle, is a type of flowering plant in the legume family. It is an evergreen shrub that grows naturally in southeastern Australia.

Description

This plant can grow as a tree or shrub, usually between 0.5 to 3 metres (1+1⁄2 to 10 ft) tall, but sometimes it can reach up to 8 m (26 ft). It has thin branches that spread out. The small branches can be smooth or hairy. Instead of true leaves, it has phyllodes, which are leaf-like structures. These phyllodes are grey-green, crowded on short stems, and have a wedge-like shape. They are 7 to 16 millimetres (1⁄4 to 5⁄8 in) long and 5 to 14 mm (3⁄16 to 9⁄16 in) wide.

The plant produces clusters of round, yellow flowers in winter and spring. Each flower cluster is about 5 to 6 mm (0.20 to 0.24 in) wide and has 8 to 12 golden flowers. After flowering, it forms seed pods that are firm, smooth, and narrow, up to 8 mm (0.31 in) long and 6 to 9 mm (0.24 to 0.35 in) wide. The seeds inside are dull black, shaped like an oval or oblong, and are 3 to 5 mm (0.12 to 0.20 in) long.

Taxonomy

The plant was first officially described in 1853 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. It was briefly renamed Racosperma pravissimum in 2006 but was soon changed back to Acacia. The Latin name pravissima means "very crooked."

Where it grows

Ovens wattle is found only in southeastern Australia, mainly in higher areas of the Great Dividing Range. It grows from around Tumut in New South Wales, through the Australian Capital Territory, down to parts of Victoria. It usually grows in damp, protected places near creeks and streams, often in eucalyptus forests and woodlands.

Growing Ovens wattle

This plant is tough and easy to grow. You can grow it from seeds that have been scarified (scratched or treated to help them sprout). It grows well in most soils, in full sun or partial shade, and prefers soil that drains well. It can survive frost down to −7 °C (19 °F). It is a good plant for windbreaks, controlling erosion near rivers, adding nitrogen to the soil, and for habitat for wildlife.

Gallery

References

• R Lancaster, (1998). Plants That Should Be Better Known: Acacia pravissima, Royal Horticultural Society..

Other websites

• Media related to Acacia pravissima at Wikimedia Commons