Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Acacia

Species:

Acacia paradoxa

USDA Symbol:

ACPA8

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

600 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

feb,mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Seeds are stimulated to germinate by fire; adult plants resprout from lignotuber after fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to arid regions, prefers poor soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 30–60 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–28 days

Notes:

Seeds require hot water or mechanical scarification to break hard seed coat, followed by warm stratification then cold stratification.