Acacia podalyriifolia
Queensland silver wattle, Queensland Silver Wattle
(c) Shaun Swanepoel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Acacia podalyriifolia (Queensland silver wattle) is a non-native California tree in the Fabaceae family, recognized by wide hairy silver-blue leaves are distinctive.
Queensland silver wattle is a naturalized tree found in southern coastal California in disturbed areas at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from November to March, this tree produces golden yellow flowers in racemes with 4 to 8 heads. Growing to 7 meters tall with unarmed branches and densely hairy twigs, it has a spreading form. Its simple leaves are distinctive, being 2 to 4 centimeters long with a striking silver-blue color, widely elliptic to ovate in shape, and covered in fine hairs. The fruit is 4 to 2 centimeters long, leathery, silver-blue, with wavy margins and light yellow seed arils.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; wide hairy silver-blue leaves are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native to eastern Australia
Bloom period
Acacia podalyriifolia blooms Nov-Mar.
How to tell it apart
vs Salix: Acacia has yellow ball-shaped flowers; Salix has catkins with small individual flowers and visible scales.; vs Paraserianthes: Acacia has simple blade-like leaves; Paraserianthes has twice-compound feathery leaves.; vs Eucalyptus: Acacia has yellow ball flowers; Eucalyptus has white to cream flowers with prominent stamens from a cap.; vs Vachellia: Acacia has simple blade-like leaves and no spines; Vachellia has feathery leaves and paired spines.; vs Quercus: Acacia has yellow fuzzy ball flowers; Quercus has separate male catkins and tiny female flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acacia podalyriifolia native to California?
No. Acacia podalyriifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Acacia podalyriifolia bloom?
Acacia podalyriifolia blooms Nov-Mar.
What plant family does Acacia podalyriifolia belong to?
Acacia podalyriifolia is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acacia.
What habitat does Acacia podalyriifolia grow in?
Acacia podalyriifolia grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.