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A shrub growing to 3 metres tall by about 2 metres wide. It comes in two forms. One is a low and spreading shrub with a flat top whilst the other is tall with a rounded growth habit.
Acacia granitica occurs in northern NSW, on the Coast, Tablelands and Western Slopes, north-east from about Coonabarabran, extending to Crows Nest and Glenmorgan in southern Queensland (with possible largely disjunct records around Tonwsville).
It grows in sclerophyll heath, as well as dry sclerophyll shrubland and bushland amongst granite outcrops.
Australian Wattles at least, can be broadly placed into 1 of 3 recognisable groups:
This wattle belongs to Group 1.
Both forms of this species have long, narrow, leathery phyllodes, green in colour, with many fine parallel veins.
Flowers are produced in ovoid heads consisting of up to 25 flowers, with two heads produced per phyllode axil; bright yellow, appearing from early to mid spring.
Pods are straight to slightly curved, to 10 cm long and only 0.3 cm wide.
This species can be cultivated in the garden. Seed is available commercially.
The growth habit of the low growing form, and the flowers of both forms are attractive features.
This species is typically found on granite-based soils and outcrops and so may need similar conditions in the garden. Best grown in a full-sun position.
Prune both forms after flowering. Cut off each branch behind the spent flowers.
Propagate from seed that should be soaked in boiling water before sowing.
The species was named in 1921 and was previously known as A. doratoxylon var. ovata.
Most wattles will die in a fire and regenerate from seed. Some species exhibit suckering from basal parts and roots.
Acacia is a highly diverse genus, with over 1500 recognised species (placing it in the top-10 most-diverse plant genera) occurring in most continents except for Europe. Australia has about 970 spp., most of which are endemic. There are also about 10 exotic species. NSW has about 235 recognised species. Some species have become weeds in other states outside of their natural range (e.g., wattles from Western Australia into NSW and vice versa).
Acacia – from Greek Akakia – which refers to an Ancient Greek preparation made from one of the many species; the name of which derives from akis, meaning “thorn” – referring to the thorns of species in Africa.
granitica – Latin for “granitic” (granite) – referring to this species being mostly found growing on granite substrate.
This species is not considered to be at risk of extinction in the wild.
NSW Flora Online (PlantNET) – Acacia granitica profile page https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Acacia~granitica
Wattle – Acacias of Australia – Acacia granitica profile page https://apps.lucidcentral.org/wattle/text/entities/acacia_granitica.htm
Ole Lantana’s Seed Store – Acacia granitica sales page https://www.olelantanaseeds.com.au/product/acacia-granitica-granite-wattle-x-20-grams-approx-1000-seeds-bulk/