Join our Wonderful Wattles Walk on 10 September

To celebrate the amazing acacias, National Wattle Day has been held every year on 1st September since 1910. Our national floral emblem, Acacia pycnantha, is one of over 1000 acacia species found in Australia, making it the largest group of flowering plants in our country.

Those delicate baubles or cylinders in shades of creamy white, pale yellow through to gold, are not a single flower but a group of many tiny flowers. They can be clearly seen if you look at them when in bud.

All acacias have true leaves when they are seedlings but in most species these are not retained. Instead they develop modified flat leaf-like structures called phyllodes (flattened stems). The variety of forms will amaze you.

Wander through the Botanic Gardens or the Kings Park bushland and you will find many species in full bloom now. Even better, join our Guides on one of the Wonderful Wattles Walks on September 10. You will learn about the ecological and cultural significance of this group of plants, its adaptations to survive in harsh environments and much more.