Family: Fabaceae

Acacia vestita, commonly known as hairy wattle or weeping boree, is a small to medium-sized tree native to New South Wales, Australia. It typically grows up to 3 meters in height and width, with gracefully weeping branches and fine, hairy foliage. From late winter to spring, it produces bright yellow, ball-shaped flowers that make it a popular ornamental plant. The species is hardy, tolerating drought and a range of soil types, which contributes to its use in landscaping, erosion control, and as a decorative garden or street tree.

Although Acacia vestita is adaptable outside its native range, the Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) classifies it as Low Risk. Its traits, including moderate seed production and limited potential for naturalization, indicate that it is unlikely to become invasive or displace native vegetation in Hawaii or other Pacific islands. As such, it can be cultivated with minimal ecological concern, though general best practices—such as avoiding planting near sensitive natural areas—are recommended to maintain ecosystem health.

High Risk Traits:

• Commonly cultivated and naturalized within Australia, outside natural range
  
• Listed as a weed of unspecified impacts in Australia (unconfirmed)
  
• Other Acacia species are invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• N-Fixing (modifies soil chemistry)
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by ants, possibly water and/or gravity and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank
  
• Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• Grows primarily in temperate to Mediterranean climates (may limit ability to spread to cooler, higher elevations of tropical/subtropical islands)
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Ant-dispersed seeds unlikely to be dispersed long distances without human assistance