Acacia maidenii

Taxobox
name = "Acacia maidenii"


image_caption = "Acacia maidenii"
image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
genus = "Acacia"
species = "A. maidenii"
binomial = "Acacia maidenii"
binomial_authority = F. Muell. [cite web
url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?924
title=Acacia maidenii information from NPGS/GRIN
publisher=www.ars-grin.gov
accessdate=2008-04-26
last=
first=]
range_

range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = Native range of "Acacia maidenii"
synonyms = "Racosperma maidenii" (F. Muell.) Pedleycite web
url=http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?sciname=Acacia+maidenii
title=Acacia maidenii - ILDIS LegumeWeb
publisher=www.ildis.org
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=]

"Acacia maidenii", also known as Maiden's Wattle, is a tree native to Australia (New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria). It has been introduced into India (Tamil Nadu) and Argentina, and it grows on plantations in South Africa. It prefers full sun to partial shade and it is often found on the edge of the rainforest.cite web
url=http://www.tacethno.com/info/acacia/actionstatement.html
title=Action Statement No. 36 - Maiden's Wattle
publisher=www.tacethno.com
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=] It grows up to 15 m in height by 10-15 m in width. The phyllodes are dark green, alternate along the stem and reach 20 cm in length and 1 to 3 cm in width.cite web
url=http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:ALT8uh242-wJ:www.cubberlawitton.org/__data/page/8295/CubberlaWittonPlantsWebPageOct03.xls+cultivation+%22acacia+maidenii%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=89&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
title=Master List
publisher=64.233.167.104
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=] It is very fast growing, reaching 1.5 m tall in as little as 5 months.cite web
url=http://209.85.171.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=es%7Cen&u=http://psicodioscorides.com/p_2.htm
title=Acacia Maidenii
publisher=209.85.171.104
accessdate=2008-05-04
last=
first=] Its flowers are has pale yellow spikes up to 6&nbsp.cm long that often occur in clusters of 2 to 3. The fruit is hairy, about 15 cm long and narrow, often becoming coiled.In Australia it is listed as being an endangered species. [ [http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/1374C42A7C665C57CA25709200225F21/$File/036+Maidens+Wattle+1993.pdf Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement] State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2003] The tree has a lifespan of more than 30 years. [ [http://users.lycaeum.org/~mulga/acacia/maideni.html Lycaeum] ] It grows approximately 1 m per year.cite web
url=http://www.metrotrees.com.au/treehandbook/page-listings/acacia-maidenii.html
title=Acacia maidenii
publisher=www.metrotrees.com.au
accessdate=2008-04-26
last=
first=] It is frost tolerant down to -7 °C [cite web
url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/species/A-maidenii.html
title=Australian National Botanic Gardens - Growing Acacia
publisher=www.anbg.gov.au
accessdate=2008-04-26
last=
first=] (about 19 °F), but it is not drought tolerant, so irrigation may be necessary in some growing areas. In its natural range, it tends to grow in places with an average maximum temperature of about 25°C, but it also exists in a range of 22-32°C avg. max. temp.cite web
url=http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/avhpublic/avh.cgi
title=Australia's Virtual Herbarium Map Interface
publisher=www.rbg.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=] It tends to grow primarily in areas near the coast averaging 1200-1600 mm/year of rainfall, but overall it is found to some extent in a areas ranging 600-2000 mm/year of rainfall.

Uses

It makes an attractive ornamental tree along streets and in parks. It is very good for reforestation in suitable areas. The exudates from the trunk (like gum or pitch) have been used in the past for food by Indiginous Australians. [cite web
url=http://www.mountainstomangroves.org/01_cms/details.asp?ID=118
title=Indigenous (Post Contact)
publisher=www.mountainstomangroves.org
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=]

The bark contains 0.36% of the hallucinogen DMT as well as 0.24% of N-methyltryptamine. When smoked, the bark gives a mild hallucinogenic effect. It is also a common admixture ingredient to Australian Ayahuasca brews. [ [http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Ayahuasca_-_Plant_constituents/id/1285887 Ayahuasca - Plant constituents] ]

Cultivation

USDA Zone 9 is recommended.cite web
url=http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/carth.asp?species=Acacia%20maidenii&sref=21075
title=Acacia maidenii from B & T World Seeds
publisher=www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=] "Acacia maidenii" does well in all types of soil, except those that are waterlogged for lengthy periods of time. The tree's seeds number about 65 seeds/g. "Acacia maidenii" can be propagated from seed, but, in order to increase the germination rate, the seed should be treated first. It can be soaked in hot water or the seed can be nicked or otherwise mechanically scarified, so that water will penetrate the seed's hard coating and induce germination.

Germination is highest at temperatures between 21-27°C. [cite web
url=http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/21075.htm
title=Acacia maidenii in Profile
publisher=www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com
accessdate=2008-05-06
last=
first=]

References

External links

* [http://www.australianplants.org/fsheight.htm Growing "Acacia" from Seed (www.australianplants.org)]
* [http://www.see-emc.net/ Society of studies about Ethnobotany and the Modified States of Consciousness]