Bailey’s acacia (Acacia baileyana, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 24: 168 (July 1888))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: F.Muell.

Bibliography: Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 24: 168 (July 1888)

Year: 1888

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acacia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: S. New South Wales

Description

Bailey’s acacia, known scientifically as Acacia baileyana, is a remarkable species first described by the botanist F. Muell. in 1888, as noted in the Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. This species belongs to the Fabaceae family, a large family commonly referred to as the legume, pea, or bean family.

Bailey’s acacia is native to southern New South Wales, Australia, where it is a well-recognized part of the native flora. The plant typically thrives in the region’s moderate to semi-arid climate, displaying a robust adaptability to its environment.

The tree itself is known for its striking appearance, often reaching heights of up to 8 meters (26 feet). It features feathery, bipinnate leaves that are a distinctive bluish-green, creating a soft, delicate appearance. In the flowering season, Bailey’s acacia is particularly notable for its vibrant yellow, globular flower heads, which not only add a splash of color to the landscape but also attract various pollinators.

Aside from its ornamental value, this plant plays an important role in its ecosystem. As a member of the Fabaceae family, Bailey’s acacia contributes to soil health through nitrogen fixation, a process in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia, enriching the soil and benefiting neighboring plants.

Though it is largely celebrated for its beauty and ecological benefits, Bailey’s acacia is also marked by certain environmental impacts when introduced outside its native range. In some regions, it has displayed invasive tendencies, outcompeting local flora and altering habitats. This duality underscores the need for mindful cultivation and management.

In summary, Bailey’s acacia (Acacia baileyana) is a species with an intriguing blend of aesthetic charm and ecological function. Its place in the biodiversity of southern New South Wales is firmly established, offering both environmental benefits and challenges depending on its context.

Common Names

Eng: bailey’s acacia, bailey’s wattle, cootamundra wattle
Afr: bailey-se-wattel
Fra: mimosa de bailey
Swe: guldakacia
En: Bailey’s acacia, Bailey’s wattle, Cootamundra wattle
Af: Bailey-se-wattel
Ca: Mimosa de Bailey
Fr: Mimosa de Bailey
De: Goldmimose
Es: Mimosa de Bailey
Sv: Guldakacia

Synonyms

• Acacia baileyana var. purpurea (L.H.Bailey & E.Z.Bailey)
• Racosperma baileyanum ((F.Muell.) Pedley)
• Acacia baileyana var. aurea (Pescott)

Distribution

• New South Wales (native)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 22, 2019 by Cornel Buzea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2020 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Dave Ketteringham (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2019 by Rincón Chacon David Manuel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 29, 2020 by kokoss kokoss (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Deir Julien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Desmond McDermott (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2019 by David Galet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2021 by Costagliola Ignacio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Guillermo Garcia Mendive (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 18, 2018 by blop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2020 by VeTonica (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2019 by lauren davies (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Ieg (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by García Aguiño (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2021 by kyle campbell (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 30, 2022 by ian connop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Nikita Bahiense (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Nikita Bahiense (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Antje schäfer-hendricks (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Dave Ketteringham (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 30, 2022 by ian connop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by maxthelander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Ben (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Ieg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Seb Le Dé (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2981303)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:469798-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acacia baileyana F.Muell.)

Specifications

Growth