Author(s): Bernard Slattery

Natural History and Environment

Acacia, known in Australia as wattle, is thelargest genus of plants in the country¿nearly 1000 species! Its brilliant flowerstransform winter and spring landscapes.Our sporting teams wear its green andgold colours. Sprigs of wattle flowers adornour patriotic events. The Golden Wattle isour national floral emblem¿But how many wattle species can theaverage citizen name and recognise?This guide helps the beginner to make astart. In plain language, and generouslyillustrated, it presents twenty one specieswhich flourish in the Mount Alexanderregion of central Victoria. And a generalintroduction explains different featuresof wattles, helping in identificationand appreciation of these tenacious andbeautiful plants.