Golden Wattle
Acacia pycnantha
Family: Fabaceae · Also called Acacia, Mimosa (in floristry), Pycnantha, Acacia falcinella, Acacia westonii, Acacia pycnantha var. petiolaris
Powdery & Soft · Winter–Spring bloomer
Golden wattle erupts in masses of fluffy, ball-shaped golden flowers that transform the Australian bush into a river of gold each late winter and spring. The flowers, actually clusters of tiny stamens with no true petals, create clouds of sweetly-scented golden pompoms along every branch, visible from great distances.
unity, resilience, Australian identity
In the Victorian language of flowers, golden wattle means “Unity and resilience”. Australia's national floral emblem since 1988, green and gold became the national colors because of wattle. National Wattle Day is September 1. The wattle appears on the Australian coat of arms behind the kangaroo and emu. Aboriginal Australians used wattle extensively: bark for shelter and canoes, seeds as food, gum as adhesive, and wood for tools.
Did You Know?
Wattle 'flowers' have no petals, what you see is a mass of golden stamens. Australia has over 1,000 Acacia species (more than any other country). Golden wattle seeds were recently promoted as a 'bush food', they're 26% protein, higher than wheat. Aboriginal Australians have eaten wattle seeds for at least 40,000 years, making it one of the world's oldest cultivated foods.
Open eucalypt woodland, roadsides, and scrubland across southeastern Australia
Golden Wattle is native to Australia. It naturally grows in open eucalypt woodland, roadsides, and scrubland across southeastern australia.
Scent Profile
“A sweet, powdery honey fragrance with violet-like undertones, wattle blossom is one of Australia's most distinctive scents, filling the bush with golden sweetness in early spring.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameAcacia pycnantha
- FamilyFabaceae
- Native ToAustralia
- Bloom SeasonWinter–Spring
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Australia's national floral emblem since 1988, green and gold became the national colors because of wattle. National Wattle Day is September 1. The wattle appears on the Australian coat of arms behind the kangaroo and emu. Aboriginal Australians used wattle extensively: bark for shelter and canoes, seeds as food, gum as adhesive, and wood for tools.