The preferred average annual rainfall for this plant is 650 - 1120 mm, and it thrives in warm temperate and subtropical climatic zones. It can be found at altitudes of up to 200 m.
Crested Wattle
The Aiiia lophanha, also known as crested wattle or spiked acacia, is a fast-growing tree or sprawling shrub native to coastal areas of southwestern Western Australia. It can reach a height of 4-15 meters and is characterized by its nitrogen-fixing ability, semi-deciduous nature, and moderate tolerance to drought and frost. It is commonly used for soil stabilization, shelterbelts, and as a fodder tree for cattle.
Aiiia lophanha
Australia
- The spiked acacia is also known as Aiiia lophanha or crested wattle. - It is a small, fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree or sprawling shrub. - It reaches a height of 4-15 m and is short-lived, being killed by fire. - The plant is native to coastal areas of southwestern Western Australia but has become naturalized in other parts of Australia. - It can be found in warm temperate and subtropical climates at altitudes of up to 200 m. - The spiked acacia prefers an average annual rainfall of 650-1120 mm and is moderately frost tolerant. - It grows well on soils derived from granite, as well as sandy and clay soils. - The plant is moderately drought resistant and can tolerate seasonally waterlogged and infertile soils. - It is also tolerant of limestone and moderately resistant to salty winds, although it requires protection from winds in exposed coastal areas. - In its natural habitat, the spiked acacia grows in open eucalypt forests, woodlands, open shrublands, and along river banks and swampy areas. - It is often found alongside other plants such as Eucalyptus cornuta, Eucalyptus lehmannii, Acacia acuminata, Agonis marginala, and Callibris preissii. - Due to its fast growth, the spiked acacia is suitable for rehabilitating sand dunes and stabilizing soil. - It can also be used for creating shelterbelts. - Cattle browse on the leaves of the spiked acacia, making it a potential fodder tree. - The wood of the plant is soft and not suitable for fuel or construction. - The roots of the spiked acacia have a 10% saponin content and are utilized in silk and wood factories. - Propagation of the plant is done by scarified seed.
It grows mostly on soils derived from granite and also on sandy and clay soils. It is moderately drought resistant and tolerates seasonally waterlogged and infertile soils. It is also limestone tolerant and is moderately resistant to salty winds, but needs protection from winds in exposed coastal areas.
A small, fast growing, nitrogen fixing, semi - deciduous tree or sprawling shrub, reaching a height of 4 - 15 m on favourable sites. It is a short - lived tree and is killed by fire. It occurs naturally in coastal areas of south western Western Australia, but has become naturalised in other areas of Australia, in the warm temperate and subtropical climatic zones, at altitudes of up to 200 m. The preferred average annual rainfall is 650 - 1120 mm, and it is moderately frost tolerant.
It grows mostly on soils derived from granite and also on sandy and clay soils. It is moderately drought resistant and tolerates seasonally waterlogged and infertile soils. It is also limestone tolerant and is moderately resistant to salty winds, but needs protection from winds in exposed coastal areas.
A. lophantha grows naturally in open eucalypt forest, woodland, open shrubland and also along river banks and around swampy areas. It occurs alongside Eucalyptus cornuta, Eucalyptus lehmannii, Acacia acuminata, Agonis marginala and Callibris preissii.
The fast growing capacity of Albizia lophantha makes it a good species for rehabilitation of sand dunes and soil stabilisation as well as for shelterbelts. Cattle browse the leaves, so it has potential as a fodder tree. The wood is soft and therefore unsuitable for fuel or constructional uses. The roots have a 10% saponin content and are utilised in silk and wood factories.
Propagation is by scarified seed.