Cuthbertson’s Wattle, Silver Witchetty

This bushy, often gnarled shrub or low tree has a twisted trunk with highly fissured bark, which flakes off in brittle pieces. The yellow flowers appear profusely after copious rainfall. Commonly known in its native Australia as Silver Witchetty, A. cuthbertsonii occurs sporadically throughout arid parts of the country, usually growing on the gravelly soil and rocky sands of hills or along creeks and drainage lines. It requires full sun and is very drought-tolerant. Such topographical situations are similar to those of the shallow wadis and rowdahs of the Arriyadh region, where water collects after winter rains. These properties have made the tree attractive for planting in the Arriyadh region and it was selected from several Australian species for trials at the Research and Agricultural experiments Station in Dirab, Arriyadh, where it has grown well in certain experimental studies. For landscaping purposes, the tree’s dense foliage make it an ideal low shrub for accent and screening. The large seed pods are eaten when still green by aboriginal people, and the bark is used as an aid against toothache and for making bandages and sandals.