WATTLES 
This name is given by Australians to their 400 different kinds of Acacia trees. 
(Don’t confuse these with Cassia or 
“Shower” 
trees). Acacia trees, whether from 
Australia or elsewhere, are evergreen, many hardy, others suited to dry locations, with 
fine-cut foliage and bright yellow ball or spike flowers. 
a short life and a merry one. 
EARLEAF ACACIA 
EARLEAF ACACIA (A. auriculae- 
formis). Probably most popular Acacia 
in Florida for garden and highway plant- 
ing is this Indian evergreen tree to 30 feet 
with somewhat spreading habit, lovely 
curved “leaves” to 8 inches long, and 
small fragrant yellow flower spikes. 
AFRICAN ACACIA (A. albida). This 
tender, thorny West African evergreen 
tree to 40 feet is prized for its spikes of 
vellow flowers and its handsome pale 
green foliage. 
They have a tendency ioward 
COOTAMUNDRA WATTLE 
*COOTAMUNDRA WATTLE (A. 
baileyana). Best known of the Australian 
wattles, this shapely, showy evergreen 
tree with small silver gray foliage liter- 
ally covers itself in early Spring with 
clusters of fluffy yellow flowers. Hardy 
Florida, it should be pruned 
sharply after blooming. I can also supply 
A. arabica, A. modesta and others. 
all over 
ENTADA (E. abyssinica). Fine-leaved 
African tree of pea family, copious pretty 
white flowers. 
*LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY TREE (Cle- 
thra arborea). One of the best small trees 
makes a very handsome evergreen; in 
August-September it is covered with 
clustered sprays of scented, white flowers, 
rather like lily-of-the-valley. Requires acid 
soil. A good plant of this in flower is a 
wonderful sight. The plant grows fast— 
flowers early in life. Strongly recommend- 
ed for Central Florida, especially where 
woodland shelter is available. Even when 
apparently killed by a heavy freeze, it 
usually breaks again from ground level. 
MIMOSA (M. rubicaulis). This is a 
large, very prickly Indian shrub, the ball 
flowers pink. Do not confuse this with 
Albizzia julibrissin. 
