Family: Fabaceae

Acacia cyclops (coastal wattle, redeye) is a coastal shrub or small tree native to Australia. Indigenous Australians grind the seeds into flour to make bush bread, the seeds are a good source of carbohydrates, fats and protein. The seed pods can be crushed while they are green to make an insect repellent and sunscreen. This can also be used to treat eczema. The pods are used to make soap. The edible gum from the trunk can be used as chewing gum or to make a glue. Coastal wattle is naturalized in South Africa, Italy, Portugal, parts of Australia outside its natural range, and possibly California but is not documented to be naturalized on any Hawaiian Islands to date. This plant is an environmental weed in South Africa, forms dense thickets and produces many seeds. It forms a persistent seed bank as well. For these reasons planting of this plant is discouraged. 

High Risk Traits:

• Able to grow in subtropical climates
  
• Naturalized in South Africa, Italy, Portugal, parts of Australia outside its natural range, and possibly California
  
• An environmental weed in South Africa
  
• Other Acacia species have become serious weeds
  
• Allelopathic
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Able to form dense thickets
  
• Reaches maturity in 2 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, ants and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Shade-intolerant
  
• Possibly self-incompatible (or strongly outcrossing)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Rarely coppices or resprouts after cutting or fires.
  
• Mechanical control can be achieved by cutting stems close to the ground