What is Acacia pycnantha?
{{Italic title}} {{Speciesbox | name = Golden wattle | image = Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle.jpg | image_alt = Closeup of pendulous green phyllodes (leaves) and yellow globular flower heads | genus = Acacia | species = pycnantha | authority = | synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets = true |title=<small>Species synonymy</small> |''Acacia falcinella'' <small>Meisn.</small> |''Acacia petiolaris'' <small>Lehm.</small> |''Acacia pycnantha'' var. ''petiolaris'' <small>H.Vilm.</small> |''Acacia pycnantha'' <small>Benth.</small> var. ''pycnantha'' |''Acacia westonii'' <small>Maiden</small> |''Racosperma pycnanthum'' <small>(Benth.) Pedley</small> }} | range_map = Acacia pycnanthaDistMap739.png | range_map_caption = Occurrence data from [[Australasian Virtual Herbarium|AVH]] }} '''''Acacia pycnantha''''', the '''golden wattle''', is a tree. It is the national plant of [[Australia]]. The tree is in the family [[Fabaceae]], and is native to southeastern Australia. The plant grows to {{convert|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} and has flattened leaf stalks (called [[phyllode]]s) instead of true leaves. The phyllodes are [[sickle]]-shaped, between {{convert|9|and|15|cm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} long, and {{convert|1-3.5|cm|in|sigfig=1|frac=4|abbr=on}} wide. The fragrant, golden flowers appear in late winter and spring, and then there are long seed pods. Plants are [[pollination|cross-pollinated]] by several species of [[honeyeater]] and [[Acanthiza|thornbill]]. When birds visit [[Nectar#Extrafloral nectaries|nectaries]], the phyllodes brush against flowers. This transfers pollen between them. The golden wattle is an [[understorey]] plant in [[eucalyptus]] forests. It is found from southern [[New South Wales]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]], through [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and into southeastern [[South Australia]]. {{commons}} {{wikispecies}} {{taxonbar|from=Q516233}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Plants of Australia]] [[Category:Mimosoideae]] [[Category:National symbols of Australia]]