Citation: A. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 2:453(1825).

Derivation: oxys (Gr.)--sharp, pungent; kedros--Greek name for the cedar.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Spike wattle

Description:
Prickly, rigid, straggling, spreading shrubs 2-4 m high; branchlets almost terete, downy pubescent becoming glabrous with age; bark grey-brown, slightly fissured; stipules short, subulate, spiny.

Phyllodes narrow-lanceolate, 2-4 cm long, 2-5 mm broad, flat, rigid, divaricate, sessile, striate, glabrous, veins 3-4 prominent, apex tapering into a fine pungent point.

Inflorescences simple, 1-3 per axil; spikes sparse, interrupted to moderately dense, golden yellow; receptacles and peduncles finely pubescent, 2-3 cm long; flowers 4-merous.

Legumes slender, sub-cylindrical, 4-7 cm long, 3-4 mm. broad, acute at both ends, coriaceous, brown, sprinkled with fine whitish hairs. Seeds longitudinal in legume; funicle short, whitish, folded once or twice below a cup-shaped aril.

Distribution:  Restricted to South-Eastern region in woodland or open scrub, or heathland associated with Eucalyptus baxteri. Soils: mainly leached sands with a hardpan and sandy neutral yellow duplex. Rainfall 600-800 mm. Also N.S.W. and Vic. S.Aust.: SE. Flowering time: July — October.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Related taxa: Acacia rupicola and A. rhigiophylla have some similarity as to phyllode characters, the former differing in having 1 prominent vein and flowers in globular heads, the latter in having rather sparse flower spikes and much curved and loosely coiled legumes.

Cultivation: Although this species is rather prickly it is still useful for cultivation, and quite handsome when in flower with its bright yellow dense spikes. It is a suitable ornamental for near coastal to inland areas. Moderate to fast growth rate.

Author: Not yet available

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