Acacia verticillata aka Star Acacia

Acacia verticillata is an evergreen shrub known as prickly Moses. Other names include star acacia and whorl-leaved acacia. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It comes from southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. Records also place it in Victoria and southeastern South Australia. Its range extends into southeastern New South Wales. It grows in saline areas and on lower mountain slopes.

The shrub reaches about 20 feet (6 metres) tall. One plant in Cornwall reached that height and width. It keeps its leaves through the year and grows fast. Plants can flower within a few years from seed. PFAF records flowers from February to May. Each flower has both male and female organs. The plant has many thorns, which help form a barrier. Its flowers yield yellow dye, while seed pods yield green dye.

Choose a sunny site with soil that drains well. PFAF favours sandy loam but lists sand, loam, and clay as suitable. It also reports success in poor soil. The plant accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. Avoid soil with too much lime. It grows in dry or moist soil and tolerates coastal exposure. One cited report suggests some shade, though the main guidance favours sun. The plant can fix nitrogen.

PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10, but its British guidance urges caution. Plants may withstand brief cold spells around 14–23°F (−10 to −5°C). Severe winters can kill them even in mild British areas. Sheltered sites beside south- or west-facing walls are suggested. It also suits a sunny woodland edge. In warm temperate gardens, its thorny growth makes a hedge or screen. PFAF reports resistance to honey fungus. It names no other specific pest or disease problems.

The flowers are edible when cooked and can go into fritters. PFAF gives them a low food-use rating. It lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. These records do not establish safety for pets. Seed offers one way to raise new plants. Stored seed needs scarification and a warm-water soak before sowing. Keep young plants under glass for their first winter. Plant out after the last expected frost. Cuttings from partly ripened shoots offer another route to propagation.