Acacia s.l., known commonly as mimosa, acacia, thorntree or wattle, is a polyphyletic genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae. It was described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773 based on the African species Acacia nilotica.

What are wattle trees good for?

Wattle planting

They spring up in disturbed areas or after fire, their nitrogen-fixing roots helping the soil, and their flowers and leafy branches brighten the garden in winter and spring, offering food and shelter for animals, insects and birds.

Is wattle a tree or bush?

Wattles are an iconic component of the Australian bush. The Australian national emblem is the Acacia pycnantha . Represented as trees and shrubs, they're found virtually in every ecosystem in the country, from rainforests to mountain areas, to deserts, even sand along the beaches.