Acacia salicina aka Broughton Willow Wattle

Acacia salicina is an evergreen tree or shrub from Australia. It belongs to Fabaceae, the pea family. Common names include cooba, native willow and willow wattle. Its native range covers central and eastern Australia. It grows in woodland, often beside streams or on floodplains. These sites range from sandy ground to heavy clay. It also occurs in dry shrubland and semi-arid regions.

The plant has drooping branches and often forms one main trunk. Useful Tropical Plants lists a height of 33 feet [10 metres]. Its broader height range is 7–43 feet [2–13 metres]. Some trees reach 66 feet [20 metres]. The trunk can measure 1–1.5 feet [0.3–0.45 metres] across. Shoots from the roots can grow into dense stands. Young seedlings bear true leaves. Mature plants instead carry phyllodes, which are flat, leaf-like stems. Its growth rate is moderate, and insects pollinate it.

Grow this species in full sun with soil that drains well. It prefers medium to heavy soil but also grows in sand. It suits warm temperate and tropical climates, including semi-arid sites. Best growth occurs where daytime temperatures fall around 24–30°C. Its native climate often has four to eight dry months. Preferred yearly rainfall is 400–600 millimetres. This supports its use where water is scarce. Dormant plants may survive brief cold near −2°C. New growth is less hardy and may suffer severe harm at −1°C.

People plant this tree for ornament and to help hold soil. It also serves in projects that restore damaged land. Its root shoots can help create thick cover. They also mean that one plant may become a stand. The brown heartwood is tough and takes a smooth polish. Woodworkers use it for furniture. The trunk and branches yield gum, while the bark supplies tannin. Its thick, fleshy pods contain saponins and foam in water.

Useful Tropical Plants records no known edible uses for this species. This does not establish that all parts are safe. The foliage holds high levels of tannin. Reports link it with suspected poisoning in hungry cattle. Keep that warning in mind where livestock can reach the tree. The supplied evidence gives no species-level pest or disease details.