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Acacias (was "Mimosa")

>Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 13:37:46 +0000
>Sender: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
>From: "Nancy Jakusz" <flamenco@mail.island.net>
>To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
>Subject: "Mimosa"
>
> 	A woman I know recently returned from holiday in the South of
> France, Montpelier and thereabouts, and she was enraptured by the
> "mimosa" trees growing there. She said they grow practically like
> weeds, and I think have yellow flowers. I told her I would ask on
> this list; does anyone know what they are?  Then I guess the next
> question will be: Wonder if they'd  be hardy here, on Southeastern
> Vancouver Island, which is "cool Mediterranean".
> 	Thanks,      Nancy Jakusz  (B.C. -- Canada)
>

Nancy -

This would almost assuredly be Acacia decurrens or A. decurrens
dealbata.  We also have this weedy species here in California, and
which it can be strikingly beautiful in full flower, it does spread
at the roots, from which it can regenerate quickly after a fire, or
intentional removal (or being killed by severe frosts).  Sunset
lists this species as hardy to its western garden zones 8&9 (you are
most likely somewhere in their zone 5).  I find no other Acacia
rated for Vancouver Island.  Albizzas (pink flowers) are somewhat
similar, and should be hardy for your area.

Others -

On the topic of Acacias, I've been trying to help a friend find some
species with the distinctive flat-topped 'savanna' look for a
planting he is doing for a local zoo.  Does anyone have information
on any of the following species, or any other exhibiting this
distinctive growth pattern?:

Acacia erioloba - Camel Thorn
 A.    tortilis heteracantha - Umbrella Thorn
 A.    xanthophloea - Fever Tree
 A.    sieberiana woodii - Paperbark Thorn

This last species is perhaps the most striking - if anyone knows of
seed availability, I'd be most interested.  It is native to woodland
and grasslands from Natal, Zululand, Swaziland to Transvaal,
Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.  It has an attractive corky, yellow
green stem with peeling bark, feathery light green foliage and
flowers heavily with creamy white to pale yellowish balls.

 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    (510) 987-0577
 Oakland, California 94610-1459     h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 U.S.A.                             'a garden suited to its purpose'
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