Acacia glaucoptera (Clay Wattle) - A very unusual Acacia that grows to 3 feet high with a sprawling habit. Its twisting branches are clothed with continuously overlapping gray-green leaves giving the appearance of a zigzagging stem. New growth is red or bronze and in cooler months the foliage stems are a purplish tone. Large, rounded yellow flowers form along the stems in spring. Requires full sun and good drainage. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F. Can be used selectively as a ground cover in a small area or as an unusual specimen plant. The name Acacia comes either from the Greek word 'akazo' meaning "to sharpen" or from the Egyptian word 'akakia', a name given to the Egyptian Thorn, Acacia arabica. The specific epithet is from the Greek words 'glauco' meaning “blue-green” and 'ptero' meaning “wing” or “feather” in reference to the blue-green phyllodes that look like wings.
The information about Acacia glaucoptera that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
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