Rooikrans

Acacia cyclops

NEMBA: Category 1b

English: Red Eye, Red Eye Wattle, Red-eyed Wattle, Coastal Wattle, Cyclops Wattle, One-eyed Wattle, Redwreath Acacia, Western Coastal Wattle

Afrikaans: Rooikrans, Baaibos, Hoenderboom, Rooikransie Rooipit, Rooipitjie
Historical names: Acacia cyclopis

The Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops), also known as coastal wattle, is an invasive alien plant introduced to South Africa from Australia in the 1830s to stabilise dunes. It has spread rapidly, by producing large quantities of seeds with succulent red seed stalks that attract animals, aiding its dispersal.

Rooikrans invades and overshadows indigenous vegetation, thriving in nutrient-poor soils and after fires, which it intensifies, causing further harm to local ecosystems. Its rapid growth and adaptability make it a serious threat to biodiversity and extremely difficult to eradicate once established.

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Origins:

South-western Australia

Overall Appearance:

An evergreen small tree or shrub with bright green elongated 'leaves' and yellow flowers,

Height:

Typically reaches 1.5-4 metres in height, but can grow up to 8 meters tall.

Width:

Can spread to a similar width as its height, forming a dense canopy.

Leaves:

Like many acacia species, they have distinctive phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks) that resemble leaves, but are not true leaves. These phyllodes are bright green, typically 4-8 centimeters long and 0.6-1.2 centimeters wide, with a single prominent gland near the base and prominent parallel veins.

Flowers:

Small, bright yellow, spherical flower heads arranged in clusters.

Flowering Season:

Very few flower heads are produced at a time, but flowering occurs over a long period, from early spring to late summer (September to May in South Africa). This is unusual for Acacia species, which normally flower in one brief but impressive display.

Fruits:

Long, flat, and twisted seed pods that turn reddish-brown as they mature.

Seeds:

Small, dark brown seeds with a distinctive red ring around the hilum (scar where the seed was attached to the pod).

Bark:

Smooth, grey-brown bark on young stems, becoming rough and fissured with age.

Wood:

Hard and durable, but not typically used for commercial purposes apart from firewood.

Soil Type:

Prefers well-drained sandy soils, but can tolerate a range of soil types.

Aspect:

Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.

Notes:

All African acacias have been (sadly) reclassified as Vachellia and Senegalia, based on differences in their thorns and flowers. As a result, the name "acacia" now exclusively refers to Australian species, and any references here specifically pertain to Australian acacias.

Edible Parts:

Indigenous Australians grind the seeds into a flour to make damper, the seeds are a good source of carbohydrates, fats and protein.

Uses:

Historically used to stabilize coastal dunes and it makes excellent firewood.

The green seed pods may be used as a natural soap, by crushing them and using the pods with water to wash with.

The seeds pods are also crushed while still green to make an insect repellent and sunscreen that is also used to treat eczema.

Birds Attracted:

Attracts sunbirds, bulbuls, and weavers which feed on the nectar and insects associated with the plant.

Water birds, such as ducks and geese, guinea-fowl and various smaller birds enjoy the seeds stalks.

Insects Attracted:

Hosts a variety of insects, including ants, beetles, and psyllids.

Mammals Attracted:

Provides food for baboons, monkeys, small rodents and shelter for small mammals.

Other interesting facts:

The introduction of the gall-forming cecidomyiid Dasineura dielsi as a biological control has had only limited success in the effective control of this weed.