Acacia at the Australian National Botanic Gardens - intro Wattles Wattles are members of the genus Acacia and belong to the family Mimosaceae. There are about 750 species of Acacia found throughout Australia. Australia's national floral emblem is Golden Wattle, Acacia pycnantha . Wattle Day is celebrated on 1 September. Their habitat ranges from coastal to sub-alpine regions and from high rainfall to arid inland areas.
Acacias also occur in Africa, South America and throughout other warm areas of the world.
Flowers and Foliage Wattles show a range of foliage and flower types. The foliage colour of wattles ranges from light or dark green to blue or silver-grey. Flowering times of wattles vary greatly, with the bulk of species flowering in spring and summer. Other species flower during autumn and winter and, with careful selection, it is possible to have flowering wattles in the garden at all times of the year. Flower heads vary in colour through cream, pale yellow to gold.