Acacia Season

[executi0n]

Well, it appears that it's this time of year that the acacia's come out to play. Over about the last week or so, I have seen so many acacia's flowering that, it looks like they've just sprung up over night. It really is amazing and, at the same time, beautiful. A few years ago I wouldn't have taken much notice, let alone known what 'acacia' even was, but today, I keep my eyes open a lot more when out and about. It's amazing to think that so many people would go about their lives without taking a second glance at some of these plants. The acacia's in particular bring so much color to the area. Even parts where it's mostly dirt and salt bush, a few acacias somehow manage to 'brighten' up the place.

Anyway, so I was driving today, and literally just around the corner from my house I notice about 3 big acacias which I've never seen before (I've seen them, but they weren't flowering so I didn't know what they were nor take notice). I took some photos with my phone which will hopefully be clear enough to get an idea of what they may be, but I can always get more with a camera later on if needed.

On to the pictures.

Here is a (horrible) picture of what they look like, highwise, etc.

Here is a picture of what I think *might* (very big might) be an acacia. I actually really like this one because of the shape of the leaves, the dark green color that sort of transitions into a browny,purply kind of color.

Here's one that has thicker phyllodes, not as much as the ones above, but more so than the others I've usually come across. It looks like it could be related to the one above:

And lastly, we have the lightweight. This one had the thinnest phyllodes of them all, extremely thin (and long) (Acacia retinodes? Acacia melanoxylon?)

Oh, actually I found these on my computer which I took a few months back of a plant I saw when driving around, that at first I thought might have been Klip Dagga(?), but upon closer inspection I don't think it is at all. It was just the quick glimpse of red when driving past that made me think Klip:

All of these are in South Australia by the way, around the 'outskirts' of the town itself. By outskirts I mean on one side of the road is houses, on the other its salt bush and dirt.

Hopefully I've given enough information to help.

[paradox]

that succulent with the pink flowers is mother of millions & should be killed...

hard to say with those pics of the second plant

the others perhaps A. saligna?

[executi0n]

that succulent with the pink flowers is mother of millions & should be killed...

 

So it's a pest/weed one? Do you have the actual name of it?

Thanks!

[paradox]

Bryophyllum delagoense

edit: yeah it's a pretty major weed in many parts of australia self propogates like nothing i've ever seen before... a pretty but very horrible weed

Edited September 7, 2011 by paradox

[Jonstn]

Seeing so so many acacias around all different sizes and shapes it's awesome

How does one go about getting seeds off these trees? Is it a matter of waiting til they've finished flowering then picking them off? Want to get a good collection of native acacia seeds and plants going.

So, so noob lol

:edit: found this

"Acacia seeds ripen in the pods on the bush and are expelled which means a reliable method of collection needs to be used. If it is not feasible to be there at the right time, a cloth bag (not plastic) or nylon pantyhose may be placed over the ripening pods and tied. After collection pods should be discarded and the dried insect free seeds stored in airtight containers marked with date, place of collection and name."

Hmm, some of the acacias I see aren't really in a position to have stuff hanging off them, was kind of hoping if you waited until the right time you could just pick them off.

Guess could just keep a eye on the ground below the specimen for pods.

Edited September 7, 2011 by Jonstoned

[planthelper]

yep, you are best off to check on the progress of the seed pods, a few times, and don't be too early or too late picking them.

but they stay on the tree for quite a while after the pods matured, so the window of oportunety is big.

[executi0n]

Bryophyllum delagoense

edit: yeah it's a pretty major weed in many parts of australia self propogates like nothing i've ever seen before... a pretty but very horrible weed

 

Ah, thanks. Yeah, I was thinking that before when you first replied, it's such a pretty plant to be a weed.

yep, you are best off to check on the progress of the seed pods, a few times, and don't be too early or too late picking them.

but they stay on the tree for quite a while after the pods matured, so the window of oportunety is big.

 

I might have to go back and check on them again in a little while to see how they're doing. The ones I posted here are only around the corner so I definitely don't have to worry about not being able to access them heh.

[kadakuda]

Not sure about OZ, but here Acacia beans are top of the menu for various insect larvae! the window isnt so big around these parts due to bugs eating them.

[santiago]

There has been an abnormally high number of acacia moth around these parts this year. What info can be gained from a moth?