Acacia retinodes
Everblooming wattle
(c) Ivor Wilson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Acacia retinodes (Everblooming wattle) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Fabaceae family, recognized by very narrow leaves and small pale flower heads distinguish it.
Everblooming wattle is a naturalized shrub found in coastal California, specifically in the Central Coast and Southern Coast bioregions at elevations below 900 meters in disturbed areas. Flowering from February to March, this plant produces pale yellow to cream-colored flowers in small heads 5 to 7 millimeters wide. Growing as a small shrub or tree up to 10 meters tall with unarmed branches, it spreads readily through root suckers. Its simple leaves are narrowly lanceolate, 3 to 20 centimeters long and 3 to 14 millimeters wide, with a prominent midvein. The fruit is a dark brown, papery pod 4 to 16 centimeters long, with light yellow arils nearly encircling the seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; very narrow leaves and small pale flower heads distinguish it
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, mostly coastal
Elevation: < 900 m
Outside California: native to southeastern Australia
Bloom period
Acacia retinodes blooms Feb-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 retinodes native to California?
No. Acacia retinodes is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Acacia retinodes bloom?
Acacia retinodes blooms Feb-Mar.
What plant family does Acacia retinodes belong to?
Acacia retinodes is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acacia.
What habitat does Acacia retinodes grow in?
Acacia retinodes grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas, mostly coastal.
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.