Ruqayyah Snyder
Acacia, commonly known as wattles, are a genus of about 1,084 species of shrubs and trees native to Africa, South America, and Australasia. They grow in warm, tropical, and desert-like regions of the world, particularly in Africa and Australia. Acacias are a source of food for many animals, including mammals, birds, and insects. In Australia, various animals eat different parts of the acacia plant, including its seeds, bark, and leaves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals that eat Acacia in Australia | Lizards, grasshoppers, chickens, parrots, pigeons, black cockatoos, gang gangs, crested pigeons, rufous whistlers, grey shrike-thrushes, white-winged trillers, thornbills, silvereyes, wrens, singing honey eaters, sugar gliders, squirrel gliders, ants, galahs, rosellas, and giraffes |
| Animal products that come from Acacia | Gum Arabic, tannin, and perfume |
| Human products that come from Acacia | Wattle gum, dyes, adhesives, drugs, inks, and food |
| Human foods that come from Acacia | Wattle damper, wattle seed cake, traditional porridge, bean cakes, pancakes, and coffee |
| Types of Acacia | A. colei, A. corriacea, A. elachantha, A. torulosa, A. tumida, A. ampliceps, A. victoriae, A. stenophylla, and A. scorpioides |
| Characteristics of Acacia | Acacia is a genus of about 1,084 species of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. They have small flowers that occur in clusters to make a bright yellow display, though some species have purple flowers. They are legumes that can acquire nitrogen directly from the atmosphere with the aid of soil bacteria. They are also a great habitat for small birds, providing shelter, perching and nesting sites, and attracting insects for them to eat. |
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What You'll Learn
Lizards, grasshoppers, chickens, and some bird species eat acacia
Acacia, commonly known as wattles, is a genus of about 1,084 species of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. They grow in warm areas of the world, particularly in Africa and Australia, and most edible acacia seed species are from northern semi-arid regions of Australia. Several edible acacia species have been successfully introduced into African semi-arid regions like Niger and Senegal.
Acacia has very small flowers that occur in clusters to make their characteristic bright yellow display. Some have paler-coloured flowers, and one species, Acacia purpureapetala, has purple flowers. Most species begin to flower in late winter, but the huge variety means there is usually a wattle flowering at any time of the year. Acacias are actually legumes, and they can acquire nitrogen directly from the atmosphere with the aid of soil bacteria (Rhizobium sp) through nodules on the roots of the plant.
Ants tend to store acacia seeds underground, which may explain why the seeds germinate so quickly following a fire. Wattles have a strong smell that attracts birds, bees, wasps, and beetles. They are a great habitat for small birds, providing shelter, perching, and nesting sites, and attracting insects for them to eat. Different species attract different birds, and those that love wattles include crested pigeons, rufous whistlers, grey shrike-thrushes, white-winged trillers, thornbills, silvereyes, wrens, and singing honey eaters.
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Ants and acacias have a symbiotic relationship
Acacia, commonly known as wattles, is a genus of about 1,084 species of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. They are native to Australasia, with most species found in Australia. Acacias are legumes, meaning they can acquire nitrogen directly from the atmosphere with the aid of soil bacteria through nodules on their roots.
The seeds are coated in an oily fleshy outgrowth called an aril. Ants tend to be attracted to these arils, and in return for the food source, they protect the acacia trees from herbivores and competing plants. They do this by patrolling aggressively, removing or repelling intruders, and clipping competing vegetation.
The acacia trees also produce specialised structures to shelter and feed the ant colonies. For example, the founding queen acacia-ant (Pseudomyrmex ferruginea) cuts her first entrance hole into the swollen thorn (Vachellia cornigera) in which she will start her colony. The acacia trees also produce nectaries and nutrient-rich leaflet tips called Beltian bodies to feed the ants.
The mutualistic relationship between ants and acacias has been described as "obligate", meaning that without the ants, the acacia plants would be eaten by other insects and animals, and without the acacias, the ants would lose their primary food and shelter source.
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Acacia is a food source for some mammals
Acacias are a genus of shrubs and trees native to Africa, South America, and Australasia. Now, most species are found in Australia, with others in New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean. They are a source of food for some mammals, as well as other animals.
Acacia seeds are a well-known bush food and a traditional food source for Aboriginal communities in Australia. The seeds are often parched and ground into a meal for baking. The seeds are also eaten by parrots, pigeons, black cockatoos, and gang gangs. In addition, some bird species, such as crested pigeons, rufous whistlers, and grey shrike-thrushes, are attracted to the strong smell of wattles and feed on the insects that are drawn to the flowers.
Ants also have a close relationship with acacias. They store acacia seeds underground and eat the sweet sap produced by the tree. In return, the ants protect the tree from other insects that come to eat its leaves.
In Africa, acacias are essential to life in dry, rural areas, with many animals depending on them for survival. For example, giraffes can use their long, prehensile tongues to grasp even the most delicate of leaves, avoiding the sharp thorns of the acacia tree.
Some acacia species have been introduced to semi-arid regions of Africa, such as Niger and Senegal, where they have the potential to become new crop plants. A. corriacea, for instance, is a highly esteemed food of the Aboriginal people of Australia and has shown promise in acacia trials in Niger.
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Acacia seeds are edible and nutritious
Most edible Acacia seed species are from northern semi-arid regions of Australia and range from medium-sized trees to large, multi-stemmed bushes. A. corriacea is a highly esteemed food of the Aboriginal people of Australia. A. elachantha is a vigorous tree that produces a lot of biomass and strong poles 3-4m in length. A. tumida has large seeds that are easy to harvest and better balanced nutritionally than A. colei seeds. The seeds of A. holosericea contain 21% protein, 10% fat, and 57% carbohydrate, and in the past were an important food source for Aborigines in Central Australia.
Several edible Acacia species have been successfully introduced into African semi-arid regions like Niger and Senegal. A. colei has excelled in acacia trials in Niger and has a high survival rate after transplanting, rapid early growth, and an extensive shallow root system. A. elachantha has a good growth rate and higher seed yields than A. colei, but it has a long ripening period and a tendency to shatter. A. ampliceps, A. victoriae, and A. stenophylla are suitable for alkaline and salt-affected areas.
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Aboriginal people in Australia use acacia seeds in traditional recipes
Acacia seeds have long been a food source for Aboriginal people in Australia. The seeds of the edible Acacia plants are often parched and ground into a meal for baking. The seeds are also washed, dried, and ground to flour, which is then used in traditional recipes. The flour is mixed with other flours at a rate of no more than 25% Acacia flour to 75% of other ingredients. The Acacia flour is used in traditional porridge, bean cakes, and pancakes. The seed can also be roasted and ground to make a substitute for coffee.
Acacia seeds are an important part of the traditional diet of Australia's Aboriginal people, especially in the semi-arid northern regions of Australia, where they grow on medium-sized trees and large, multi-stemmed bushes. A. corriacea is a highly esteemed food of the Aboriginal people of Australia. The seeds are also a good source of food in times of famine.
Acacia seeds have gained popularity throughout Australia due to their high nutritional content, hardiness, availability, and low toxicity. The seeds are also low on the glycemic index, making them suitable for diabetic foods.
The arrival of pre-milled white flour has mostly replaced the use of ground native seeds like Acacia in bread-making. This, along with the introduction of white sugar, has contributed to health problems such as diabetes among Aboriginal people.
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Frequently asked questions
Wattle seeds are eaten by parrots, pigeons, black cockatoos, and gang gangs. Lizards, grasshoppers, chickens, and some bird species are also known to eat Acacia.
Acacia, commonly known as wattles, is a genus of about 1,084 species of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae. They grow in warm areas of the world, particularly in Africa and Australia.
Acacia seeds are used in traditional recipes, being mixed with other types of flour. The seeds can also be roasted and ground to make a substitute for coffee. The gum of some species may be used as a substitute for gum arabic, known as Australian gum or wattle gum.
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