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Flora and Fauna
The Lima's Golden Mimosas are Actually Acacias or Wattles
by Virginia Vickers Braun

An Acacia saligna, or golden wreath wattle, in bloom at La Pradera of Rinconada Baja. (Photo by Virginia Braun)

When is a mimosa not a mimosa? When it's grown in Lima and is actually an acacia or golden wattle. Tracking down the names of the local flowering trees and shrubs can be confusing. A true mimosa (Albizia julibrissim) is native to China and has pink and white flowers, but acacias, which are native to Australia, are members of the Mimosaceae or Mimosa family, and are commonly called mimosas in Lima. They have tiny, bright yellow, ball-type flowers that literally cover their branches, giving them a droopy appearance like a willow.

Acacia is a generic name derived from the Greek work “akis,” meaning a point, which refers to the “prickly” leaves of some of the species. More than 900 species of acacia are found in Australia, making it the largest genus of flora on the continent. They are also known as “wattles” because their wood was used by settlers in the wattle-and-daub building method. The settlers would build a framework made of interwoven acacia twigs onto which they would daub mud. The wood is also used to make furniture, tool handles and for other purposes. Tannin, a substance used in tanning hides and making dyes, inks and medicines, is obtained from the bark of acacias. The flowers are used to make perfume.

The flowers form small, bright-yellow balls that cover the branches. (Photo by Thomas Wesson)

Acacia pycnantha was officially proclaimed the national flower of Australia in 1988, although it was widely accepted as the national flower for much of the 20th century. This species has more feathery, fern-like leaves than the Acacia saligna shown in the photo (at least I think it's an Acacia saligna). Also known as willow wattle or golden wreath wattle, Acacia saligna is native to Western Australia and grows to a height of three to eight meters, or about 10 or 26 feet. Unlike other species of acacias, it has no thorns. These trees were particularly showy in Lima in August and September, as they flower in late winter or early spring. Long brown seed pods measuring about seven inches appear after the flowers drop.

Acacias grow well in full sun and can be either single or multi-trunked and slightly scraggly looking. With a lifespan of only 20 years, they are said to “live hard and die young.” A fast-growing tree, they can reach a height of 15 feet in about two years. They tolerate dry soil with poor nutrients, but are considered to be a “high maintenance” tree. Despite its status as the Australian national flower, acacias, or wattles, are considered to be an undesirable weed in many parts of Australia because they tend to take over and crowd out other native vegetation.

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