ACACIA
Picture Source:California Cut Flower Commission
Popular Name: Acacia
Botanical Name and Pronunciation: Acacia floribunda (a-KAY-see-a flor-a-BUN-da)
Common Name(s): Mimosa
Color(s): yellow
Form and Size: Flowers are round and cluster together. The leaves are a grayish-green and are finely divided.
Vase Life: 3-5 days
Availability: Winter/Spring
Care Instructions: Dries out easily, keep humidity high by misting. Cut stems under water and place in fresh water with flower food. Remove any foliage at the bottom of the stems.
History and Usage: Acacia comes from the Leguminosae (pea) family. It originated in Australia. Some of its common relatives are redbud, wisteria, lupine, clover, bean, and soybean. Some species are used as screens, hedges and even crash barriers.
The name comes from a Greek word, "akis." Akis means "sharp point," which in this case refers to the thorny stems. "Floribunda" means "many flowers."
Points of Interest: Acacia can be found in South and Central America, Kenya, southern Africa and Australia. This plant can transform nitrogen in the air into a form that can be used by other plants as fertilizer. They have a wonderfully intense fragrance some describe as sweet. Because of this, acacia perfume has become a popular scent of perfume with ladies in some places in Europe. While this plant starts out relatively small, it can become overgrown quite easily, causing some to refer to it as a weed. To keep under control, cut branches often. They can be cut while in half bloom to be used decoratively or to deodorize a room. Branches can also be cut while at the bud stage and forced to open later. Be careful when it rains, as a heavy rain can cause the branches to become weighed down with water and break.
Popular Name: Acacia
Botanical Name and Pronunciation: Acacia floribunda (a-KAY-see-a flor-a-BUN-da)
Common Name(s): Mimosa
Color(s): yellow
Form and Size: Flowers are round and cluster together. The leaves are a grayish-green and are finely divided.
Vase Life: 3-5 days
Availability: Winter/Spring
Care Instructions: Dries out easily, keep humidity high by misting. Cut stems under water and place in fresh water with flower food. Remove any foliage at the bottom of the stems.
History and Usage: Acacia comes from the Leguminosae (pea) family. It originated in Australia. Some of its common relatives are redbud, wisteria, lupine, clover, bean, and soybean. Some species are used as screens, hedges and even crash barriers.
The name comes from a Greek word, "akis." Akis means "sharp point," which in this case refers to the thorny stems. "Floribunda" means "many flowers."
Points of Interest: Acacia can be found in South and Central America, Kenya, southern Africa and Australia. This plant can transform nitrogen in the air into a form that can be used by other plants as fertilizer. They have a wonderfully intense fragrance some describe as sweet. Because of this, acacia perfume has become a popular scent of perfume with ladies in some places in Europe. While this plant starts out relatively small, it can become overgrown quite easily, causing some to refer to it as a weed. To keep under control, cut branches often. They can be cut while in half bloom to be used decoratively or to deodorize a room. Branches can also be cut while at the bud stage and forced to open later. Be careful when it rains, as a heavy rain can cause the branches to become weighed down with water and break.