Acacia ‘Little Nugget’

(cultivar)

Family: Fabaceae subfamily Mimosoideae

Acacia ‘Little Nugget’ is a dwarf form of Acacia pravissima.

It is a hardy, small shrub growing to 1.2 metres tall and about the same width.

Australian Wattles at least, can be broadly placed into 1 of 3 recognisable groups:

Group 1: Those that produce juvenile compound-bipinnate leaves and then change to producing adult-phyllodes which are modified-flattened petioles which form the foliage. This is combined with flowers produced in globular balls or heads (or ovoid heads). The heads can be singular in leaf/phyllode axils or arranged in groups.
Group 2: As for Group 1 but flowers are produced in longer rod-like spikes.
Group 3: Those that never produce phyllodes and retain the juvenile compound-bipinnate foliage into adulthood. These always produce flowers in globular balls (which are secondarily arranged into panicle or raceme-like groups in many cases).

This cultivar belongs to Group 1.

It has clusters of very small staminate yellow flowers prodcued in globular heads, during August to September. It also has attractive compacted grey phyllodes.

Acacia ‘Little Nugget’ is frost hardy, prefers full sun to dappled shade and well drained soils.

In the garden

Author’s notes: I planted this plant in my daughter’s Canberra garden two years ago in a raised bed, facing north. It receives minimal water and is thriving and flowering well. It has attractive foliage and I am sure would make a great hedge plant if required. I am so impressed with this plant I am now trying to locate a few more for her garden, as well as. my own garden.

When planting out, it is best not to disturb the plants root ball very much as acacias resent root interference at the time of planting.

This plant requires little maintenance and will tolerate drought and heavy frost once established.

Propagation

Other information

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.

‘Little Nugget’ – referring to the dwarf form and the attractive yellow flowers.

Plantmark Wholesale Nurseries – Acacia ‘Little Nugget’ profile page https://www.plantmark.com.au/acacia-pravissima-little-nugget

Mallee Design – Acacia ‘Little Nugget’ profile page https://malleedesign.com.au/happy-wattle-day-acacia-little-nugget-foliage-before-flowers/

Botanic Gardens of South Australia – Plant Selector – Acacia ‘Little Nugget’ profile page http://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/890

May 25, 2020