Acacia cyclops Cunn.

Mimosaceae

Common name(s):

Description:

Branching shrub, 3-4 m high.  Dark brown cracked bark.  Leaves:  Young leaves are first pinnate then turn to phyllodes of a dark green colour, 3-8 cm in length and 0.4-2 cm in width, with 3 to 6 veins.  Flowers are clustered in glomerules, 4-6 mm in diameter, light yellow in colour, either single or grouped in clusters.  Pods are flattened, strongly arcuated and contain reddish black seed with a long funicle of a reddish orange colour.

Distribution:

The species is a native of Western Australia and was introduced in the southern Mediterranean basin, especially Morocco and Libya, for soil stabilization purposes.

Management:

According to the Moroccan reforestation guide-book, this species grows well in Mediterranean humid coastal climates with mild to warm winters, and good results are obtained on sand dunes where it withstands sea-spray.  This species is also successful on well drained marls and shales. This species shows poor re-growth after cutting back, but does readily re-seed itself.

Products and uses:

Used mainly in Morocco for sand stabilization close to the sea-shore, where sea-spray is usual.  It has also been successfully used for dune stabilization to the west of Beirut airport in association with A. cyanophylla.

Main References:

Baumer, M. 1983. Notes on Trees and Shrubs in Arid and Semi-arid Regions. FAO/UNEP programme “Ecological Management of Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands in Africa, Near and Middle East” (EMASAR Phase II). 270p.