Acacia cultriformis (Knifeleaf Acacia) - A multi-trunked evergreen (evergray) small tree growing to 15 feet tall and as wide. The gray-green triangular leaves (phyllodes) are tightly held to drooping gray branches. Fragrant yellow rounded flowers form in clusters in spring.
Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate occasionally to infrequently. Not fussy about soil type, but it requires decently good drainage. Reliably cold hardy to 20°F and not damaged in our historic December 1990 freeze with short term temperatures of 18°F. This is a great drought and frost tolerant plant for the garden that can be used as a focal or screening shrub or trained up as a small tree and cut branches work great in flower arrangements.
Knifeleaf Wattle grows naturally in in south-east Queensland and New South Wales, Australia and has naturalized in coastal areas of the central and north New South Wales. 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 Latin words 'culter' meaning "a knife" and suffix 'formis' meaning "in the form of" in reference to the knife-like shape of the phyllodes. This species was introduced into cultivation in California by William Walker at his Golden Gate Nursery in San Francisco in 1859 and we have grown this beautiful plant since 1981.
The information about Acacia cultriformis displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |