Description
Common names
Cooba, Native Willow, Willow, Broughton, Doolan, Willow Wattle, Bakka, Black Sally Wattle, Bremgu, Broughton Wattle, Broughton Willow, Coobah, Coobar, Cooby, Cuba, Goobang, Koobah, Motherumba, Murray Willow, Native Wattle, River Cooba, Sally, Sally Wattle, Swamp Wattle, Umung, Willow Acacia, Woomal.
Scientific names
Acacia salicina.
Family
Mimosaceae.
Genus
Acacia.
Name origin
From Latin salicis, referring to pendulous, willow-like habit.
Rainfall
300mm.
Growth rate
Moderate.
Growth height
3-10m.
Presence in Australia
Becomes more common west of Olympic Highway.
This specie has been identified in the following Australian states: Qld, NSW, ACT, Vic, SA, NT, WA.
Habitat
Dry sclerophyll forest, shrubland and woodland in semi-arid regions. Mostly creek banks, and flat alluvial plains and floodplains.
Habit
Erect or spreading shrub or tree, 3-10m high. Brownish, finely fissured bark and deep-green foliage on willow-like drooping branches. Often in dense clumps.
Site preference
Heavy clay soils to sands. May withstand some inundation. Full sun. Salt tolerant. Drought resistant. Resents frost when young.
Characteristics
Long-lived. Wind-firm. "Leaves" contain large amounts of tannin.
Flowering
Pale yellow to almost white, usually Feb-Jun.
Seed collection
Dec-Jan. Good crops every few years.
Propagation
From seed (±8 viable seeds per gram).
Regeneration
Often seeds, and suckers freely from the roots. Highly palatable to stock, hence fencing recommended for regeneration. Encourage suckering by root ripping or disturbance.
Shade and shelter
Excellent low to medium-level cover in windbreaks, due to bushiness and suckering.
Land protection
Valuable in maintaining riverbank stability and for general erosion control, where its suckering is an advantage. Legume, improves soil fertility through "fixing" nitrogen.
Fuel
Good.
Timber
Close-grained, tough, heavy, dark-brown and attractively marked. Used in furniture joinery and craft, and said to rival Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) timber. Takes a high polish. Used for making bullock yokes and cart shafts in pioneering days.
Wildlife
Excellent habitat. Native birds and insects eat seed appendages.
Koori
Tannin-rich bark used to poison fish. "Leaves" reputedly burnt and ash smoked to produce a narcotizing effect. Seeds eaten in some areas.
Ornamental
Useful attractive species for gardens and parks, particularly in dry areas. Responds to water during dry periods.
Other
Excellent drought fodder for sheep and cattle.