Acacia auriculiformis

Name and publication

Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth., London J. Bot. 1: 377 (1842).

Description

The fruits of the ear-leaf acacia or ear-pod wattle are commonly called “curly pods” in the potpourri trade. The pods are very narrowly elliptic to elliptic, flat, 3-16 cm long, woody, distinctly twisted, glaucous (when fresh), glabrous, transversely veined, brown (in native state). Occasionally, seeds are elliptic to broadly elliptic, flattened, 3.6-5.6 mm long, dark brown to black encircled with a long, bright orange funicle/aril (stalk).

Nativity and distribution

Acacia auriculiformis is native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia but cultivated in the tropics for fuel and fodder.

Family

Fabaceae (alt. Leguminosae), also placed in Mimosaceae

Synonymy

Racosperma auriculiforme (A. Cunn. ex Benth.) Pedley