Edible Wattle Seeds of Southern Australia : A Review of Species for Use in Semi-Arid Regions

This work identifies 47 "Acacia" species which have potential for cultivation in the southern semi-arid region of Australia as a source of seed for human consumption.

It provides botanical profiles together with information on natural distribution, ecology, phenology, and growth characteristics.

Seed attributes are provided for the 18 species regarded as having the greatest potential.

Two species, "Acacia victoriae" and "Acacia murrayana" appear particularly promising for production of human food in southern Australia.

The seeds of both these species have good nutritional characteristics and were commonly used as food by Aborigines. "Acacia victoriae" is currently the most important species of "Acacia" in the Australian bush food industry.