The exotic Australian continent is world famous as the birthplace of the most incredible representatives of the animal and plant kingdom. Who does not know about amazing armadillos and platypuses, ostriches and anteaters?
If the kangaroo is considered the personification of the fauna of the mainland, the most characteristic representative of the flora of Australia is the Australian golden (densely flowered) acacia, or mimosa, whose branches adorn the national coat of arms of this country and the main state awards. This article will tell about this elegant culture, its features and advantages.
Dense acacia - the official symbol of the country and a characteristic representative of the flora of Australia
Golden acacia has replenished the national symbolism of the country since 1988 - the year of the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the Australian state. For a long time, culture was an unofficial flower emblem of the country, and only in 1988 did the status of the plant grow to recognition at the highest level. In honor of this event, a magnificent ceremony was held in the National Botanical Garden of the country on September 1, 1988: the Minister of the Interior read out a corresponding decree, and the Prime Minister’s wife planted a bush. In 1992, National Acacia Day was officially approved, celebrated on September 1.
The history of acquaintance with this exquisite plant began in 1842, when the English naturalist and companion of the legendary captain Cook J. Bentham published his first description in a botanical magazine. Indigenous Australian, golden (or densely flowered) acacia is common in vast territories of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. But it should be noted that this representative of the flora of Australia, has long crossed the borders of his native continent and conquered the southern regions of Europe and the coast of the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Species features
Why is this most characteristic representative of the flora of Australia so attractive? The answer is simple: the plant is interesting for its exquisite decorativeness, rare endurance and ability to adapt to the most difficult growing conditions. Cultivate the plant in Australia began in the 19th century.
Acacia, growing up to 6-12 m, is a sprawling tree, bewitchingly beautiful during flowering. Cirrus-complex, narrow, graceful leaves, reaching 20 cm in length, give the plant elegance and sophistication. Succulent greenery of dense foliage of a tree is a distinctive feature of acacia. It blooms from February to April. Small golden yellow flowers, collected in small inflorescences-balls and forming fluffy tassels, during flowering cover the tree completely. The aroma of acacia is also surprising - delicate, refined, fresh.
High decorative features distinguish this most characteristic representative of the flora of Australia. It is provided with a fair length of the flowering period: not every culture can continue the enchanting spectacle for several months.
Common in Australia, acacia is almost universally used for landscaping parks and decorating garden interiors.
Useful properties of golden acacia
This most characteristic representative of the flora of Australia combines elegance and beauty with high healing ability. The healing properties are famous for bark and gum, the solution of which has anti-inflammatory and soft enveloping effects. It has long been used in gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers, noticeably alleviating the irritating effect when taking medications. Easy to make decoctions of the bark - an effective astringent.
Acacia oil is an excellent natural antiseptic used in home cosmetology. It neutralizes skin reactions that occur both with minor mechanical damage, and with errors in the diet. Invaluable oil in the care of oily skin tones and rejuvenates it, as well as infusions and decoctions, it has a high anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect. The pleasant aroma of golden acacia is used in aromatherapy: being a natural antidepressant, it acts soothingly and has a restorative effect on sleep.
Golden Acacia: Harvesting
The bark and gum from the incisions made in advance, begin to be collected at the end of fruiting - in August or September.
The rules for the procurement of medicinal raw materials are traditional: they do this in dry weather, in the non-hot morning hours.
The subtleties of care
Despite the fact that the most characteristic representative of the flora of Australia, acacia, a very unpretentious culture, but when using effective agricultural techniques responds even more beautiful and long flowering. Care for the crop consists of moderate watering, timely top dressing and pruning.
These are the features of this wonderful Australian plant, which is the official symbol of a distant continent.