The root nodules on the roots of a wattle can often be seen by removing a small plant from its container. Australian acacias are generally small to large shrubs but there are a few which become large trees. The individual flowers are very small but are arranged into rod-like or globular heads of a large number of flowers. Many Australians regard the flowering of wattles as signalling the coming of spring and it's true that many commonly grown species flower in late winter. However, it's equally true that a wattle can be found in flower somewhere at any time of the year.
Phyllodes have a leaf-like appearance and can be enormously variable in size and shape.
Many Acacia species occur in areas where bushfires are common, such as dry forests and woodlands. They are often helped in this role by ants which store the seeds underground. The seeds themselves usually have a very long viability. Commercial and Other Uses Several Acacia species provide commercial returns both in Australia and overseas. Unusually, Australia actually imports much of its need for A.mearnsii bark tannin from South Africa where the tree has unfortunately escaped from plantations to become a pest species.