Flora of New Zealand Series

cedar wattle

Small to large tree; twigs ribbed, sparsely to densely clothed in appressed hairs. Lvs 2-pinnate, alternate, ± glabrous or sparsely to moderately clothed in appressed hairs on rachis and pinnules; pinnae in 2-5 pairs; pinnules in 8-12-(15) pairs, widely spaced, green, narrow-ovate, acuminate, entire, (25)-30-60 × 3-13 mm; petiole 5-10 cm long; stipules inconspicuous; rachis usually eglandular, but 1 prominent gland present on petiole. Infl. of numerous, many-flowered, pale yellow, globose heads arranged in axillary simple or compound racemes <, =, or > lvs. Fls 5-merous, sessile. Pod with appressed hairs, becoming glabrous, 100-150 × 12-15 mm; aril scarcely folded, thickened to one side of seed.

N.: established in Auckland City; S.: Akaroa (Banks Peninsula).

S.E. Australia 1981

Waste places, scrubland, an occasional escape from cultivation.

FL Feb-Mar.

Cedar wattle has been previously recorded in N.Z. as Acacia elata.