Acacia saligna
Golden wreath wattle, Golden Wreath Wattle
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Acacia saligna (Golden wreath wattle) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Fabaceae family, recognized by obvious gland above leaf base and large flower heads.
Golden wreath wattle is a naturalized shrub found in southern coastal and western Transverse Ranges regions in disturbed areas and coastal dunes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright golden yellow flowers in small heads 8 to 12 millimeters wide arranged in racemes. Growing as a small shrub or tree up to 5 meters tall with distinctively silver-blue angled twigs, it has an unarmed structure. Its simple leaves are linear to narrowly elliptic, 7 to 21 centimeters long and 4 to 25 millimeters wide, with a prominent midvein and a noticeable gland at the leaf petiole base. The fruit is a flat, dark brown pod 8 to 12 centimeters long with a papery texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; obvious gland above leaf base and large flower heads are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, coastal dunes
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native to southwestern Australia
Bloom period
Acacia saligna blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
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 saligna native to California?
No. Acacia saligna is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Acacia saligna bloom?
Acacia saligna blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Acacia saligna belong to?
Acacia saligna is in the Fabaceae family, genus Acacia.
Is Acacia saligna invasive in California?
Acacia saligna is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Acacia saligna grow in?
Acacia saligna grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas, coastal dunes.
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.