| Acacia maitlandii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Acacia |
| Species: | A. maitlandii |
| Binomial name | |
| Acacia maitlandii F. Muell. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Acacia maitlandi F.Muell. ex Benth. |
|
Acacia maitlandii, also known as Maitland's Wattle, is a perennial tree native to Australia. It has an open and spindly habit, with a height between 0.7 - 3.0 metres. Flowers are yellow and occur sometime between May and October. The favoured soil type is red sand, or stony ground, the habitat is sandy or stony plains, and on hills.[2]
The species was first described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1863.[3] The plant is named for an early European explorer of Australia's Northwest, Maitland Brown, who collect the type specimen.[4]
Acacia maitlandii is found in northern regions of all mainland states of Australia, except Victoria,[4] and is not considered to be threatened with extinction.[2]
The species is used to make boomerangs and spearthrowers, the gum produced is edible. The tree is called Garrga in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people.[5] The seeds have been identified, analysed, and monitored, as a 'wild harvested Australian indigenous food', by Food Standards Australia New Zealand. The product is found to very high in fats, over half by weight.[6]
Data related to Acacia maitlandii at Wikispecies