Paraserianthes lophantha aka Australian Albizia

Paraserianthes lophantha is also known as Cape wattle. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It comes from parts of Indonesia and southwestern Australia. Kew places it from Sumatra to the Lesser Sunda Islands. It grows as a shrub or small tree. In the wild, it grows in open mountain woods. It also grows in grasslands and on stony slopes. It needs sun and does not cope well with shade.

Garden plants reach 13–26 feet [4–8 metres] tall. They spread about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres] wide. Useful Tropical Plants gives a wider range of sizes. Poor sites may limit height to 3–7 feet [1–2 metres]. Trees on better sites can reach 49 feet [15 metres]. The crown spreads above a straight trunk. RHS says the leaves stay green all year. Useful Tropical Plants says the tree loses some leaves. The dark green leaves look fine and feathery. Their leaflets range from oblong to egg-shaped.

Cream flowers grow in spikes at leaf joints in late spring. Each flower cluster looks like a brush. Bees and other insects visit the blooms. Brown seedpods look like pea pods and follow the flowers. The plant grows fast. Yet RHS gives 20–50 years for it to reach full size. People grow it for its leaves and flowers. In warmer parts of its range, farms also grow it with crops.

Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with soil that drains well. RHS lists sand and loam, and prefers neutral soil. Useful Tropical Plants says it copes with more soil types. It also reports some drought tolerance once roots have settled in. Garden plants suit moist soil, but water must drain well. RHS rates this tender plant H2 and says it cannot withstand freezing. Useful Tropical Plants reports brief cold survival near 28°F [−2°C] while dormant. New growth can suffer harm at 32°F [0°C]. Plants in pots can spend winter indoors. A conservatory or greenhouse is another place to grow them. Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer to grow more plants.

RHS reports few pest problems, but warns of verticillium wilt. The plant can become a weed, most of all in moist, rich valley soils. Useful Tropical Plants reports thick growth from seeds that survive fire. It records local use of seeds as food or flavouring. This use does not prove the plant is safe to eat. RHS warns that swallowing any part may mildly upset the stomach. It also says to wear gloves and clothes that protect the skin when handling plants. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known use as medicine. It says the wood makes poor fuel.