Family: Fabaceae
An evergreen perennial shrub. Acacia glaucoptera, commonly called clay wattle, is native to Western Australia. Like other plants from dry regions, clay wattle has no true leaves; instead, it has a flattened cladode (stem) that acts as a leaf.
They are cultivated for their unusual foliage of zigzagging stems, color changing. Foliage colors change with age ranging from red when young to orange, bluish/green, and finally yellow-orange.
Blooming occurs from late winter to spring, adding a bright yellow to the foliage. Like most Acacia species, the flowers are globe-shaped.
Clay wattle thrives in clay soils that are high in naturally occurring metals. In addition, this nitrogen-fixing plant is low maintenance and tolerates heavy frosts.
Plant Uses:
- Container plant
- Cut flower
- Erosion control
- Hedge
- Nitrogen fixer
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Specimen
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
High Risk Traits:
- Other Acacia species have become serious weeds
- N-fixing (may alter soil chemistry)
- Reproduces by seeds
- Reaches maturity in 3+ years
- Seeds possibly dispersed by ants or birds and intentionally by people
- Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but limited evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control if needs
