Active varieties of Maidenii, Longifolia and Floribunda

[sallow]

Hello  

I am interested in whether any members here would be interested in sharing any insights regarding the active varieties of these three? Of course the general consensus regarding maidenii and longifolia is that they are not worth the trouble - but clearly people have had good results with the right strains of both. Both are of course subject to taxanomic variation, even variation to flowering time. I think would be a worth while venture to narrow down these things and hopefully collect some seed from these varieties.. maybe many of you have already done so?

 

I have my own experience with Floribunda and I feel there are some traits that come with the active ones and likewise the inactive..  So I thought I'd ask members what their experiences are with the differen't 'types' (active and inactive). I've noticed with floribunda the inactive ones are usually;

 

- shiny smooth grey trunk bark

- very narrow phyllodes which are pretty consistently the same throughout the tree

 

 

while the active varieties usually have:

 

- generally broader phyllodes which are greatly subject to variation in length and width

- more brown/tan coloured trunk bark with a higher presence of lenticels.. more textured to the touch (I think due to the lenticels) .. lacks the smooth "shin" that the usual commercially grown varieties almost always have.. but still smooth in appearance.. 

- often less prostrate and more "tree-like"..  

 

I've also never had any luck with ones in very close proximity to highly built up areas.. whether this is because the inactive cultivars are more commonly planted in these areas or whether the soil is playing a role I've not been able to figure out. Either way I have made sure to collect plenty of seed from confirmed active varieties so if anyone would like some sent their way feel free to pm me

 

these differences in relation to alkaloid composition is much less proven than species like acuminata .. 

 

All three of these species are subject to variation.. which is why they interest me so much. Floribunda for example I think could likely be split into differen't sub species.. but then is it known whether its variation is linked to genetics or environmental factors? 

What are some other people's experiences with these three variable allies?

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by sallow

[fyzygy]

Acacias hybridise readily. That is why Marion Simmons suggested collecting seed from wild stands, rather than suburbia -- or propagating via cuttings for guaranteed true-to-type characteristics. My understanding is that seasonal and other variations will have an effect on alkaloid concentrations. I wonder whether shininess/roughness of bark etc. could be a function of age, as in other tree species (e.g. Catha edulis). In addition to soil quality in built-up areas there are also other environmental influences on plant growth and development: chemical and electromagnetic smog, for example. That said, I have no experience with any of the species you've mentioned. Just a few early-morning impressions. 

[rottenjonny]

My maidenii trunk has certainly become more rough with age