Citation: G. Don, Gen. Syst. 2:405 (1832).

Derivation: Podalyria, a genus of South African legumes often with silvery leaves; folium (L.)—a leaf. A reference to the silvery leaves of this wattle.

Synonymy: Racosperma podalyriifolium (A. Cunn. ex G. Don)Pedley, Austrobaileya 2:354 (1987). , Acacia podalyriaefolia

Common name: None

Description:
A bushy tree to 5 m, branchlets terete, hoary with dense, erect, white hairs.

Phyllodes elliptic or ovate, mostly acute, asymmetric the midrib nearer the upper margin, penniveined 2-5 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, glaucous and with variously dense, stiff, erect, white hairs; gland inconspicuous.

Inflorescence of simple or branched racemes from the upper leaf axils giving a showy paniculate effect; axis 5-9 cm long with 10-20 heads of flowers; peduncles 4-7 mm long. Flowers 20-30 per head, 5-partite, bright yellow.

Legume to 9 cm long, 2 cm broad, glaucous, densely pubescent at first with stiff erect white hairs, flat with prominent undulate margin. Seeds longitudinal, 6-7 mm long, 3-4 mm broad; funicle thickened into a clavate aril.

Distribution:  Originally from Queensland this species has become sparingly naturalised in the Southern Lofty region spreading from cultivated plants. S.Aust.: EP, SL. Flowering time: In flower between April and September principally June and July with pods ripe in November.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: A. podalyriifolia has become established in South Africa, Ross (1975a).

The flowers and seed pods of A. podalyriifolia can be used to dye wool. The colours range from grey-green to yellow depending on the mordant used, Martin (1974).

A. podalyriifolia appears to be the most recent Acacia to be considered naturalised in South Australia. Although listed as being cultivated in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens in 1871, and 1878, the earliest herbarium specimen surviving is 1922. It was first considered adventive in 1987 in the vicinity of the old Newman's Nursery near Anstey Hill.

Cultivation: A popular and widely grown species. It flowers freely during the winter and its silver-grey leaves are attractive at all times.

Author: Not yet available

Source: