Acacia iteaphylla 
Acacia iteaphylla occurs naturally in 
South Australia extending from the Flind¬ 
ers Ranges across to the Gawler Ranges 
and the Eyre Peninsula. Commonly called 
willow-leaf wattle, this shapely decorative 
shrub is hardy and fast growing and 
flowers intermittently throughout the year 
with a peak flowering period in spring. It 
is versatile in its habit growing to a height 
of 2-4 m with some forms becoming 
upright, whilst others are pendulous and 
bushy. Several specimens which are 
thriving in the Australian National Botanic 
Gardens are upright and multi-stemmed 
from ground level. 
The slender phyllodes of A. iteaphylla 
are from 50-100 mm long and are broadly 
linear with a small gland at the base. They 
are blue-green in colour and arranged 
alternately, almost at right angles to the 
stems. The perfumed flower heads are 
produced in clusters of pale yellow balls 
which contrast pleasingly with the foliage. 
The buds are attractively enclosed by 
conspicuous pale, brown-tipped bracts. 
The flowers are followed by masses of 
flattened blue-green seed pods which 
become brown when mature. 
A low growing form of A. iteaphylla has 
been recognised. It differs from other 
known forms in having low arching, 
slightly pendulous branches and grows to 
0.5 m high by 4 m across. This plant, 
which originated as a variant in a batch 
of seedlings, has been registered as the 
cultivar Acacia iteaphylla ‘Parsons Cas¬ 
cade’. To retain its low spreading growth 
habit it should be propagated only from 
cuttings as it will not necessarily breed 
true from seed. 
A. iteaphylla grows best in a well drained 
sunny position. It is moderately frost 
tolerant and moderately salt tolerant. It 
can be propagated from cuttings taken 
between February and April. A rooting 
hormone* consisting of 4000 ppm I BA 
(indole butyric acid) has been effectively 
used at the Australian National Botanic 
Gardens. Seed germinates readily but 
should be scarified or treated with boiling 
water before sowing. 
Light pruning throughout the develop¬ 
ment of the plant will keep it vigorous and 
encourage bushiness. An application of 
a complete fertiliser* in spring and a slow 
release fertiliser* in autumn is also 
recommended. Pests noted on A. itea¬ 
phylla are the acacia bug, which rasps the 
leaf tissue causing brown lesions to 
appear on leaves and stems, and scale 
insects, Both can be controlled by spray¬ 
ing with Rogor. 
■ See Appendix 
338 
M. FAGG 
