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Leaves (mature plants) reduced to phyllodes or scales, or absent; bipinnate foliage found on 'reversion shoots' and seedlings, or rarely persisting with phyllodes on mature plants
Leaves all bipinnate
Flowers arranged in cylindrical spikes (at least 1.5 times as long as wide); phyllodes absent or flat to terete or quadrangular and normally with many parallel, longitudinal nerves
Flowers arranged in globular or obloid heads (less than 1.5 times as long as wide)
Phyllodes absent
Phyllodes present
Phyllodes terete to subterete or quadrangular in section
Phyllodes flat (c. 1 mm wide or more)
Phyllodes not more than 3 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 3 cm long
Phyllodes strongly 1-nerved, whorled, pungent; flowers (3 or) 4-merous (S.A., N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes nerveless or more than 4-nerved
Spikes sessile or peduncles very short, to 2 mm long; flowers 4-merous
Peduncles 5–30 mm long; flowers 5-merous
Phyllodes innocuous, pulvinate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes pungent, sessile (S.A., N.S.W.)
Peduncles sparsely or densely hairy
Peduncles glabrous
Phyllodes not crowded, 10–30 × 1–1.5 mm; spikes 7–9 mm long on sparsely puberulous peduncles (W.A.)
Phyllodes very crowded, 6–13 × 0.2–0.5 mm; spikes 8–22 mm long on densely hairy peduncles (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes mostly 4.5–10 mm long; spikes 7–15 (–20) mm long (N.T.)
Phyllodes mostly 20–60 mm long; spikes (10–) 20–45 mm long (W.A., N.T.)
Flowers 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous (rarely 6-merous)
Phyllodes 4- or 8-nerved
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved
Phyllodes sessile, quadrangular, 7–25 cm long, strongly incurved (southern W.A.)
Phyllodes terete to subterete, 8-nerved
Phyllodes sessile, decurrent, tortuous, often strongly curved, 8–16 cm long (W.A.)
Phyllodes articulate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 15 cm long; peduncles 6–11 mm long
Phyllodes < 15 cm long; spikes sessile or peduncles to 2 mm long
Phyllode nerves uniformly broad (c. 0.2 mm wide) and separated by very narrow, shallow furrows; branchlets appressed-hairy between ribs
Phyllodes with nerves very narrow and/or separated by deep furrows; branchlets glabrous and/or ±ribless
Sepals free or almost free; phyllodes with 8 strongly raised nerves separated by deep furrows; spike buds tapered
Sepals united; phyllodes not deeply furrowed between nerves; spike buds not tapered
Sepals free; peduncles 3–6 mm long; phyllodes strongly deflexed (W.A.)
Sepals united, at least at base; spikes sessile or peduncles to 2 mm long; phyllodes erect to spreading
Phyllodes normally ciliolate on upper half; pods 4–7 mm wide (W.A., S.A., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes glabrous or minutely appressed-hairy between nerves; pods 2–4 mm wide (W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous and/or ribless; phyllodes 2–7 (–10) cm long, with more than 10, very narrow nerves
Branchlets sericeous between the fine ribs; phyllodes 6–14 cm long, with ±broad nerves
Phyllodes 10-nerved, glabrous; spikes 10–25 mm long
Phyllodes 16-nerved, minutely appressed-hairy between the nerves; spikes c. 10 mm long
Phyllodes 8-nerved (nerves not raised, often brown-resinous), 4–9.5 cm long, innocuous with acute to acuminate, recurved to subuncinate apices; spikes 6–8 mm long; peduncles 2 in each axil, 1.5–4 mm long, glabrous (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Sepals clearly united for 1/4 or more of their length
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Phyllodes with obvious, circular stomata (observe at ×10 mag.), 3-nerved or nerves obscure, glabrous (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes without obvious, circular stomata (occasionally tuberculate), finely striate (nerves sometimes obscured by indumentum), sometimes glabrous
Spikes in short racemes; raceme axes 1–6 mm long
Spikes not in racemes or if so then axis rudimentary (< 1 mm long)
Peduncles 2–4 mm long, hairy (hairs often embedded in resin); spikes much longer than peduncles (W.A., N.T.)
Peduncles 5–15 mm long, glabrous; spikes about as long as peduncles (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Spikes pedunculate; peduncles 2–30 mm long, glabrous
Spikes sessile OR if pedunculate then peduncles hairy to some degree
Phyllode apices gradually narrowed to a brown, pungent, needle-like point that readily pierces the skin upon touch (W.A.)
Phyllodes innocuous (but commonly with a slender mucro or narrowed to hard, rigid points which do not readily pierce the skin upon touch)
Phyllodes not more than 10 cm long (very rarely to 12.5 cm in A. stowardii)
Phyllodes some or all > 10 cm long
Phyllodes usually tuberculate; sepals less than 1/2-united; pods woody; low, viscid shrubs (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes not tuberculate; sepals more than 1/2-united; trees or tall shrubs, not viscid
Peduncles 15–20 mm long; bark 'Minni Ritchi'; pods subwoody (W.A., N.T.)
Peduncles 3–15 mm long; bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; pods papery (W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W., Qld)
Branchlets pruinose; phyllodes continuous with branchlets, 15–45 cm long; spikes 3–4 cm long (SW W.A.)
Branchlets not pruinose; phyllodes articulate on branchlets, often < 15 cm long; spikes not more than 3 cm long
Phyllodes rhombic in section, nerves on angles wider than those on intervening faces; pods chartaceous, 2 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above (not SW W.A.)
Phyllodes finely longitudinally grooved, with nerves very indistinct; pods striate; calyx glabrous, c. 1/2 length of corolla (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes with nerves evident at ×10 mag.; pods not striate
Phyllodes angled by few, raised nerves (prominently grooved in between); calyx glabrous, less than 1/2 length of corolla (NE Qld)
Phyllodes ±terete, multistriate by numerous, fine nerves; calyx hairy or at least 1/2 length of corolla
Phyllodes glabrous; pods glabrous or scaly, ±constricted between seeds, 2–5 mm wide
Phyllodes appressed-pubescent between nerves; pods hairy between prominent resinous anastomosing longitudinal nerves, not constricted between seeds, 4–10 mm wide
Branchlet apices with yellow, crenulate resin-ribs; spikes 5–10 mm long, pale yellow to bright yellow; pods 2–3 mm wide (arid W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Branchlets not resin-ribbed; spikes 10–20 mm long, light golden; pods 4–5 mm wide (NW W.A.)
Pods cylindrical, abruptly tapered at each end, to 13.5 cm long, 8–10 mm diam.; sepals 0.6–1.2 mm long
Pods narrowly oblong, oval in section, to 7.5 cm long, 4–6 mm wide; sepals 0.5–0.8 mm long
Phyllodes 8-nerved, with nerves separated by deep furrows (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved OR if 8-nerved then nerves not separated by deep furrows
Spikes < 1 cm long, ±sessile; branchlets and phyllodes with appressed, ±silky hairs, glabrescent; bark 'Minni Ritchi' (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above (spikes normally > 1 cm long)
Phyllodes densely hairy, with indumentum obscuring nervation, normally innocuous; receptacle densely white- or golden-hairy
Phyllodes glabrous or sometimes sparsely hairy (mainly between nerves), sharply to coarsely pungent; receptacle commonly glabrous to sparsely hairy
Receptacle hairs conspicuous and patent; pods 2.5–4 mm wide, thinly coriaceous; bark stringy and shaggy, red-brown (SW W.A.)
Receptacle hairs minute and appressed; pods 6–22 mm wide, woody; bark not as above (arid zone: W.A.)
Pods 6–10 mm wide, moniliform (W.A.)
Pods 11–22 mm wide, flat and not or very shallowly constricted between seeds (W.A.)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; pods woody (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; pods chartaceous (W.A.)
Phyllodes innocuous
Phyllodes pungent
Peduncles 5–15 mm long; spikes interrupted; phyllodes 4–12.5 cm long
Peduncles 1.5–4 mm long; spikes ±densely flowered; phyllodes 6–22 cm long
Phyllodes with obvious, circular stomata, ±nerveless; pods woody and longitudinally nerved (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes without obvious, circular stomata, striate (nerves often obscure); pods not woody
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes filiform, 8–16 cm long, c. 8-nerved; pods (where known) 2–3 mm wide (tropics)
Branchlets minutely appressed-hairy, at least towards extremities; phyllodes variable, more than 8-nerved
Peduncles 35–45 mm long (N.T.)
Peduncles 5–10 mm long (W.A.)
Spikes sessile (peduncles rarely to 2 mm long), < 15 mm long; pods terete, 1.5–2 mm diam. (SW W.A.)
Spikes pedunculate, > 15 mm long; pods 3–15 mm wide (arid zone)
Pods cylindrical or oval to square in cross-section; seeds longitudinal
Pods flattened; seeds oblique to transverse or longitudinal
Pods square in cross-section, to 3.5 cm long, 4 mm wide, narrowly winged on angles
Pods cylindrical to oval in cross-section, not winged
Pods cylindrical, abruptly tapered at each end, to 13.5 cm long, 8–10 mm diam.; sepals 0.6–1.2 mm long
Pods narrowly oblong, oval in section, to 7.5 cm long, 4–6 mm wide; sepals 0.5–0.8 mm long
Seeds longitudinal in valve
Seeds oblique to transverse in valve
Pods with wings 2 mm wide; phyllodes 7–20 cm long or more
Pods not winged; phyllodes 2.5–9 (–12.5) cm long
Phyllodes sharply pungent, with rigid, needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch
Phyllodes innocuous (but commonly with a slender mucro or narrowed to hard, rigid points which do not readily pierce the skin upon touch)
Flowers 3- or 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Phyllodes broadly decurrent along branchlets (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes not decurrent along branchlets
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face, 0.5–2.5 cm long
Phyllodes more than 1-nerved on each face, often > 2.5 cm long
Phyllodes inequilateral, ±crescent-shaped with a triangular, gland-bearing spur on adaxial margin, 3–10 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes linear-lanceolate to ovate, to 7 mm wide, normally whorled (S.A., N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Stipules spinescent, rigid, at least 1 mm long; phyllodes sessile
Stipules not spinescent; phyllodes pulvinate or ±sessile
Peduncles 3–12 mm long; spikes 15–50 mm long; phyllodes 1.5–4 mm wide (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles 1–2 mm long; spikes 5–10 mm long; phyllodes 1.2–2 mm wide (S.A., N.S.W.)
Spikes interrupted with flowers widely spaced along receptacle (Tas.)
Spikes densely or subdensely flowered; phyllodes 3–4.5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 5–7-nerved on each face, 3–5 mm wide
Phyllodes 3-nerved on each face, 1–3 mm wide
Phyllodes 5–7-nerved on each face; spikes golden, with dense flowers
Phyllodes 3-nerved on each face; spikes cream, with subdense flowers
Phyllodes obliquely ovate-rhomboidal, 15–34 mm long, 9–25 mm wide; bark not 'Minni Ritchi' (N.T.)
Phyllodes ±linear, narrower and/or longer than above
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes 5–10 cm long, 3–4 mm wide (W.A., rare)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'
Phyllodes < 7 cm long (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes > 7 cm long (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Phyllodes all or mostly in clusters of 2–6 at mature nodes (often 1 per node on young growth)
Phyllodes all or mostly borne singly at nodes
Branchlets with conspicuous thorns at many nodes; phyllodes 1-nerved on each face (SW W.A.)
Branchlets not thorny; phyllodes with or without visible nerves on each face (northern Aust.)
Phyllodes > 30 mm long, not commonly clustered; sepals free; peduncles 3–4 mm long (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes < 30 mm long, all or mostly clustered (except on new shoots)
Peduncles 8–18 mm long; sepals 1/3–2/3-united; phyllodes 4–25 mm long (N.T.)
Peduncles 0–7 mm long; sepals free
Spikes pedunculate (peduncles 2–7 mm long); phyllodes 8–27 mm long, with 1 or more nerves on each face (N.T., Qld)
Spikes sessile; phyllodes 6–10 mm long, nerveless (but finely longitudinally wrinkled) (N.T., rare)
Branchlets narrowly winged; basal peduncular bracts conspicuous; rush-like subshrub, commonly with a few, 1-nerved phyllodes (SW W.A., rare)
Characters not combined as above
Flowers 4-merous
Flowers 5- or 6-merous
Phyllodes without anastomosing minor nerves between the major longitudinal nerves
Phyllodes with few to numerous anastomosing minor nerves between the major longitudinal nerves (observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Spikes interrupted, with receptacle clearly visible between widely spaced flowers (eastern Aust.)
Spikes ±dense (SW W.A.)
Phyllode gland present, 5–10 mm above phyllode axil (N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllode gland absent
Branchlets often hairy; peduncles 1–4 mm long (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets glabrous; peduncles 5–10 mm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 1–3-nerved on each face
Phyllodes more than 3-nerved on each face; peduncles 0–4 mm long
Phyllodes 15–32 cm long; peduncles 6–11 mm long
Phyllodes 2–7 cm long; peduncles 0–3 mm long
Heads 15–25 mm long; phyllodes 40–70 × 3–4.5 mm
Heads 6–15 mm long; phyllodes narrower or shorter than above
Phyllodes > 5 cm long, not more than 1.5 mm wide
Phyllodes to 4.5 cm long, 1.5–4 mm wide
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide
Phyllodes > 2 mm wide
Phyllodes ciliolate towards apices; pods 4–7 mm wide
Phyllodes glabrous; pods 3–4 mm wide
Phyllodes with prominent, raised, widely spaced nerves 0.3–1 mm apart
Phyllodes with fine, scarcely raised, close nerves (3–10 per mm)
Phyllodes prominently incurved; spikes 5–10 mm long; pods coiled
Phyllodes straight to shallowly incurved; spikes 10–50 mm long; pods not coiled
Phyllodes obviously recurved, glabrous; spikes pale yellow
Phyllodes straight or shallowly incurved, if recurved (sometimes in A. acuminata) then fimbriolate towards apices; spikes golden
Mature phyllodes normally fimbriolate towards apices; peduncles 0–2 mm long; receptacle often golden-puberulous
Mature phyllodes glabrous; peduncles 1.5–4 mm long; receptacle glabrous or sparsely white-hairy
Minor nerves of phyllodes diverging transversely or obliquely from the major nerves and forming an obvious net-like reticulum
Minor nerves of phyllodes clearly parallel to major nerves, normally with relatively few anastomoses between them and not forming a conspicuous net-like reticulum
Phyllodes 5–9 × 3.5–7.5 cm, undulate, margins irregularly denticulate, nerves verrucose-scabrous; spikes dense, golden, 6–8 mm diam; sepals free (SW W.A.)
Characters not as above
Phyllode obovate, oblanceolate or suborbicular, with apex obtuse
Phyllode linear to narrow-elliptic, with apex tapering, acute
Phyllodes 1.5–3.5 cm long (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Phyllodes 4–14 cm long (Vic.)
Phyllodes 10–35 mm wide; branchlets not brittle; spikes ±sessile; pods moniliform, papery (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 5–12 mm wide; branchlets brittle; peduncles 3–5 mm long; pods linear, woody (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes coarsely pungent, 4–7 cm long, 3–4.5 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes innocuous, commonly longer and/or wider than above (eastern Aust.)
Margins of most phyllodes irregular and with microscopically granular, resinous margins (Qld, N.S.W.,Vic.)
Margins of phyllodes smooth and even, never resinous
Phyllodes mostly not more than 10 mm wide
Phyllodes some or all > 10 mm wide
Phyllode gland present
Phyllode gland absent
Peduncles appressed-hairy; branchlets ±pubescent (N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Peduncles glabrous; branchlets glabrous or subglabrous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Branchlets hairy; peduncles 1–4 mm long (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets glabrous; peduncles 5–10 mm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Receptacle glabrous; flowers mid- to bright yellow (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Receptacle densely golden-pubescent; flowers pale yellow (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes reticulate between major longitudinal nerves, with anastomoses sometimes infrequent (but present on all or most phyllodes)
Phyllodes not reticulate, normally with many parallel, close or distant, longitudinal nerves on each face, often 1–5 more evident than the rest (occasionally 1-nerved on each face or nerveless)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'
Phyllodes spirally twisted or undulate, 3.5–12.5 cm long, 4–30 mm wide; peduncles 10–15 mm long; plants very viscid (N.T.)
Phyllodes not spirally twisted or undulate, 1.5–8 mm wide
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, 4–9 cm long, 3–6 mm wide, prominently 3–7-nerved on each face; peduncles 4–8 mm long; pods linear, 5–6 mm wide, velvety (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above; pods > 6 mm wide and/or glabrous (not SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 6–14.5 cm long; spikes interrupted, pale yellow or cream; peduncles 3–5 mm long; pods subtetragonous by wide margins (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes 0.9–5 cm long; spikes dense, golden; peduncles 5–35 mm long; pods with thick marginal ribs
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, 12–50 mm long; peduncles 10–35 mm long; tall shrubs to c. 6 m high (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes obliquely oblong, oblong-elliptic to broadly obovate
Phyllodes 0.9–1.5 cm long, 3–7 mm wide; peduncles 5–10 mm long; pods 7–8 mm wide; low shrubs to c. 1 m high (NW W.A.)
Phyllodes 1–3.2 cm long, 5–15 mm wide; peduncles 10–20 mm long; pods 10–15 mm wide; tall shrub or tree (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Sepals free to base or almost so
Sepals at least 1/4-united
Phyllodes and branchlets with conspicuous glandular hairs (each hair bearing a globular, golden droplet of resin) (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes and branchlets without glandular hairs
Phyllodes 3.5–10.5 cm long, 6.5–23 mm wide, ±straight, with lowermost major nerve shortly confluent with margin near pulvinus; pods woody, flat, ±straight, opening elastically from apex (N.T.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; pods not as above
Phyllodes large (7–22.5 cm long, 1–7 cm wide) and falcate or markedly inequilateral (with lower margin ±straight and upper margin convex); pulvinus 4–10 mm long
Phyllode characters not combined as above; pulvinus < 4 mm long
Pods 5–10 mm wide; peduncles glabrous; inflorescences mostly elongated racemes; branchlets and phyllodes commonly pruinose (W.A., N.T.)
Pods 2.5–4 mm wide; peduncles hairy or glabrous; inflorescences simple (spikes often crowded in phyllode axils) or short (rarely elongated) racemes; branchlets and phyllodes hairy or glabrous, not pruinose
Pods 2.5–3 mm wide; seeds 2.8–3.7 mm long; phyllodes with minor nerves normally forming a ±obscure, close, longitudinal reticulum (northern Qld)
Pods 4 mm wide; seeds 5.5–7 mm long; phyllodes with few anastomosing nerves (nerves normally all parallel) (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Minor nerves of phyllodes forming a fine, close, net-like reticulum; phyllodes 2–5.5 cm long, l:w commonly 2–3
Minor nerves of phyllodes ±parallel to major nerves and with few anastomoses between them, or (A. richardsii) with an open reticulum; phyllodes often > 5 cm long or with l:w > 3
Phyllodes semilunate, 10–22 mm wide; pods 6–7 mm wide; pruinose shrubs or trees (northern N.T.)
Phyllodes ±symmetrical, 6–10 (–14) mm wide; pods 8–40 mm wide; shrubs, not pruinose (SW W.A.)
Branchlets without raised ribs; peduncles 13–26 mm long; pods submoniliform, thinly coriaceous (northern N.T.)
Branchlets with fine, crenulate resin-ribs and/or peduncles < 5 mm long; pods (where known) not constricted between seeds, woody, ±quadrangular by marginal wings
Peduncles 5–15 mm long; phyllodes openly reticulate, 20–40 mm long (W.A., N.T.)
Peduncles 2–4 mm long; phyllodes with few anastomoses, often > 40 mm long
Phyllodes 6–16 mm wide, sparsely tuberculate; branchlets not crenulate resin-ribbed (W.A.)
Phyllodes to 6 mm wide, normally not tuberculate; branchlets crenulate resin-ribbed (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes linear, 13–34 cm long, 6–20 mm wide; spikes clearly interrupted; flowers large (c. 3 mm long); pods woody, to 15 × 2 cm (W.A., N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets pruinose, glabrous, stout, flattened or acutely angled; phyllodes glabrous, openly and obviously reticulate; pulvinus 1–3 mm long
Branchlets not as above OR if so then phyllode or pulvinus characters not combined as above
Phyllodes distinctly pulvinate, with lower edge of pulvinus continuous with branchlet rib (Qld)
Phyllodes ±sessile, continuous with branchlets by a broad band of tissue (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Pods ±woody, opening elastically from the apex, linear-oblanceolate (narrowed towards base), obliquely nerved
Pods chartaceous to coriaceous or crustaceous OR if woody then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes, branchlets and pods densely clothed with silky, appressed, silvery hairs (northern W.A., N.T.
Phyllodes, branchlets and pods glabrous or insignificantly hairy
Branchlets yellowish, prominently crenulate, resin-ribbed at apices; phyllode nerves prominent and raised (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets dark coloured and/or not crenulate resin-ribbed
Phyllodes spreading and falcately recurved, 7.5–17 cm long, 3–16 mm wide (N.T.)
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes (6–)10–16 (–19) cm long; branchlets yellow to light brown; peduncles 2.5–8 mm long (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes < 10 cm long OR if more then branchlets dark coloured and/or peduncles > 7 mm long
Calyx deeply dissected (for 2/3–3/4 its length); pods 4–9.5 mm wide; peduncles 4–12 mm long (N.T.)
Calyx shallowly dissected (for 1/4–1/3 its length)
Phyllodes 2.5–8 cm long; pods 40–58 mm long; shrubs not resinous (Qld)
Phyllodes (5–) 6–10 (–12) cm long; pods 40–100 mm long; shrubs resinous (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes not prominently reticulate; minor nerves clearly parallel to major nerves and sparsely anastomosing
Phyllodes prominently reticulate; minor nerves with numerous anastomoses and normally not parallel to major nerves
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlets hairy (indumentum often minute and sometimes confined to extremities, observe at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes 4–8 mm wide AND peduncles 1.5–2 mm long (N.T.)
Phyllodes > 8 mm wide OR peduncles > 2 mm long
Phyllodes with the major nerves neither running together nor confluent with one another at base AND not confluent with lower margin
Phyllodes with some or all of the major nerves running together or confluent with one another at base AND/OR confluent with lower margin
Spikes dense
Spikes normally interrupted; calyx ±glabrous, shallowly dissected (to 1/3 its length) into triangular lobes
Phyllodes ±straight, with nerves widely spaced; calyx ±glabrous, 1/4–1/2-dissected into triangular lobes (W.A.)
Phyllodes ±falcate, with minor nerves very close together; calyx hairy, dissected for 1/3–1/2 or more into oblong to linear lobes
Spikes in distinct racemes 0.5–10 cm long; branchlets and phyllodes normally glabrous and often pruinose (W.A., N.T.)
Spikes 2–4 within axils of phyllodes (rarely a few in short racemes); branchlets and phyllodes hairy or glabrous, rarely pruinose (W.A.)
Phyllodes straight, obtuse to subacute, 5–11 cm long; pods woody, curved (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes falcate, gradually narrowed to acute or acuminate apices, often > 11 cm long
Pods woody, 8–15 mm wide; funicle encircling seed (N.T., Qld)
Pods thinly coriaceous, 3–5 mm wide; funicle not encircling seed
Spikes yellow to golden; phyllodes with 3 nerves more prominent than the rest; pods openly curved (sometimes into a circle) or twisted (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Spikes cream; phyllodes with 2 nerves more prominent than the rest; pods spirally coiled (Qld)
Pods 6–8 mm wide; funicle bright yellow and encircling seed; spikes interrupted, cream to very pale yellow; minor nerves of phyllode numerous (5–9 per mm) (Qld)
Pods 2–5 mm wide; funicle not encircling seed; minor nerves of phyllodes often less numerous (1–5 per mm)
Ovary glabrous or hairy; spikes 15–30 mm long; aril bright yellow (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Ovary hairy; spikes some or all > 30 mm long
Phyllodes ±straight (sometimes shallowly recurved at apices)
Phyllodes falcate (uniformly recurved over entire phyllode length)
Calyx tube sparsely puberulous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Calyx tube glabrous (lobes sometimes sparsely ciliolate)
Aril bright yellow; phyllodes inequilateral (lower margin ±straight, upper margin convex) and commonly spreading rather widely (Qld, N.S.W.)
Aril cream to white; phyllodes normally erect and ±symmetrical
Phyllodes coriaceous, with 2–4 prominent nerves (the lower 2 joined 4–20 mm above phyllode base), the minor nerves 2 or 3 per mm, some anastomosing (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes rather thin, not coriaceous, with longitudinal nerves fine, widely spaced, 2 (or 3) more prominent, running together in middle of phyllode at base (N.T.)
Spikes cream; phyllodes with 2 nerves more prominent than rest; pods spirally coiled (Qld)
Spikes lemon yellow to golden; phyllodes with 3 nerves more prominent than rest
Minor nerves of phyllodes widely spaced (1–3 per mm); spikes 2–5 in each axil; calyx ±glabrous; aril bright orange (northern W.A., N.T.
Minor nerves of phyllodes commonly closer together; spikes 2 in each axil; calyx sparsely hairy or glabrous; aril white or yellow (Qld, N.S.W.)
Pulvinus < 5 mm long; calyx tube glabrous or rarely with a few short hairs at base
Pulvinus > 5 mm long
Phyllodes 12–24 cm long, l:w = 9–20; calyx tube glabrous or with a few apical and basal hairs
Phyllodes 10–16 cm long, l:w = 3.5–9; calyx tube sparsely puberulous near base
Branchlet hairs patent (Qld)
Branchlet hairs appressed
Phyllodes straight, pubescent at least at base; calyx tube glabrous or sparsely hairy at base and apex
Phyllodes falcate, usually glabrous; calyx tube pubescent
Phyllodes ±straight, symmetrical to slightly inequilateral
Phyllodes falcate OR if straight then markedly inequilateral (with lower margin ±straight and upper margin prominently convex)
Calyx tube densely and conspicuously hairy; pods coiled; phyllodes 12–19 cm long (N.T.)
Calyx tube ±glabrous; pods straight to curved
Phyllodes with 2 main nerves running together at base, c. 8–17 cm long; pods 3–4.5 mm wide, not woody (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes without main nerves remaining together; pods 11–22 mm wide, woody
Phyllodes 3–8.5 cm long, densely sericeous, nervation obscure; spikes interrupted; pods 11–22 mm wide (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 8–13.5 cm long, obscurely sericeous, nervation pronounced; spikes dense; pods 8–12 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes with main nerves remaining separate from one another at base; new shoots with conspicuous reddish resin-hairs; pods woody, 5–11 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes with 2 or 3 main nerves confluent or contiguous with one another at base; pods not woody, 2.5–5 mm wide; new shoots often golden-hairy
Spikes cream to pale yellow; pods tightly spirally coiled; funicle encircling seed; young tips golden-hairy (Qld)
Spikes golden; pods straight to curved; funicle not encircling seed
Spikes all or mostly 6–12 cm long; pods submoniliform (clearly constricted between seeds) (Qld)
Spikes 1.5–5 cm long; pods not or scarcely constricted between seed (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Spikes 1.5–3.3 cm long; new shoots at initiation not encrusted with resin (sometimes with a few, scattered tiny resin-hairs) (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Spikes 3–5 cm long; new shoots at initiation encrusted with a layer of brown resin (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlets hairy (hairs patent to closely appressed)
Phyllodes with major nerves neither running together nor confluent with lower margin at base, and minor nerves closely anastomosing; pods woody, 5–11 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes with some or all of the major nerves running together or confluent with lower margin at base, and minor nerves openly anastomosing with clearly elongated nerve islands; pods 2.5–5 mm wide, not woody
Phyllodes falcate; branchlets compressed-terete, slender, ±pruinose; pods linear, openly curved or ±twisted (W.A.)
Phyllodes ±straight; branchlets infrequently pruinose; pods tightly and irregularly coiled
Spikes white to cream; phyllodes 3 or 4 (–5)-nerved on each face, 3–9.5 cm wide; penultimate branchlets acutely angled and stout; tree to 30 m high (Qld)
Spikes golden; phyllodes 3-nerved on each face, 2–5 cm wide; penultimate branchlets terete or slightly angled (acutely angled at apices); shrub or tree to 8 m high (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with major nerves all free from one another and from lower margin (occasionally very shortly confluent in A. arafurica); branchlets terete; pods not tightly coiled (except sometimes following dehiscence)
Phyllodes with some or all of the major nerves running together with one another and/or confluent with lower margin for a considerable distance above the pulvinus; branchlets acutely angled or terete; pods often tightly coiled
Branchlet hairs closely appressed; phyllodes falcate; pods 5–11 mm wide, scurfy becoming glabrous (northern W.A.)
Branchlet hairs patent; phyllodes not falcate; pods 3–4.5 mm wide, normally hairy
Phyllodes with l:w = 1–2, markedly inequilateral (upper margin much more convex than lower)
Phyllodes with l:w > 2, ±symmetrical
Phyllodes 1.5–3.4 cm long, 9–25 mm wide; flowers ±glabrous (N.T.)
Phyllodes (3–) 4–8 cm long, 20–60 mm wide; flowers densely hairy (northern W.A., N.T.
Phyllodes 3–5-nerved on each face, 20–55 mm wide; flowers ±glabrous (Qld)
Phyllodes 2- or 3-nerved on each face, 4–20 mm wide; flowers densely hairy (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Peduncle hairs closely appressed; pods openly curved (rarely tightly coiled); new shoots pale yellow-sericeous (often tinged brown) but soon aging silvery; phyllode apices without glands (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Peduncle hairs patent OR if appressed (A. holosericea) then pods tightly coiled and phyllode apices often gland-bearing; new shoots not yellow-sericeous
Pods tightly and somewhat irregularly coiled; phyllodes often with a small gland at base of apical mucro
Pods straight to curved; phyllode apices without glands
Pods densely hairy; branchlets terete, hairs of indumentum patent; phyllodes mostly 3–6 cm wide, l:w = 2–3 (W.A., N.T.)
Pods ±glabrous; branchlets angled or terete, hairs of indumentum appressed or patent
Penultimate branchlets terete to slightly angled; bracteoles 1–1.5 mm long, spathulate; phyllodes mostly 2–5 cm wide with l:w = 3.5–6 (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Penultimate branchlets acutely angled and stout; bracteoles 2–4 mm long, linear (evident in buds); phyllodes mostly 3–5.5 cm wide with l:w = 2.5–4 (W.A., N.T.)
Receptacle sparsely hairy; phyllodes symmetrical to slightly inequilateral; petals glabrous (Qld)
Receptacle densely hairy; phyllodes strongly inequilateral (upper margin much more convex than lower)
Branchlets acutely angled and stout; phyllode l:w = 3–5 (Qld)
Branchlets terete; phyllode l:w = 1–2
Petals glabrous; phyllodes mostly 4- or 5-nerved on each face (N.T., Qld)
Petals hairy; phyllodes mostly 3-nerved on each face (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 0–4-nerved on each face
Phyllodes more than 4-nerved on each face (sometimes 1–3 nerves more prominent but always with accompanying parallel minor nerves)
Phyllodes not more than 5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long
Branchlets spinose; phyllodes 1-nerved on each face, 3.5–7 mm long (SW W.A.)
Branchlets not spinose
Phyllodes with obvious, circular stomata (at ×10 mag.), glabrous, often ±nerveless; pods woody, narrowed towards base (northern W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (usually without obvious, circular stomata, often appressed-hairy, with 1 or more nerves ±evident on each face)
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face
Phyllodes not as above (not combining characters of leads 4 and 5/5:)
Phyllodes dimidiate with upper margin angled or rounded, l:w = 2 (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes narrowly linear to narrowly oblong-oblanceolate, symmetrical, l:w = at least 20 (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 2.5 (–3) cm long, with thickened mucro; glabrous resinous shrubs without 'Minni Ritchi' bark (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes some or all > 2.5 cm long OR if not then with delicate, acute to short-acuminate tips; branchlets, phyllodes or peduncles normally hairy
Receptacle densely hairy; phyllodes 3–6 mm wide, strongly 3–7-nerved on each face; bark 'Minni Ritchi' (SW W.A.)
Receptacle glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy; phyllodes commonly < 3 mm wide (northern
Branchlets glabrous and crenulate resin-ribbed; pods ±woody, with discrete marginal wings 2–3.5 mm wide (W.A., N.T.)
Branchlets and pods not as above
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; petals swollen abaxially at apex (best observed in buds), ±nerveless; pods < 5 mm wide, glabrous (N.T.)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; petals not swollen abaxially, often prominently 1-nerved; pods > 5 mm wide and/or hairy
Phyllodes linear-obovate (normally broadest above middle), 1–5 cm long, 1.2–5 (–7) mm; pods glabrous (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes narrowly linear, normally not more than 2 mm wide
Phyllodes with 2, prominent, raised, acentral nerves on each face; pods glabrous (Qld)
Phyllodes with a central nerve on each face (sometimes obscure nerves either side of it); pods hairy (at least when young) (W.A.)
Phyllodes without a thickened upper margin; pods 4–5 mm wide, submoniliform, ±straight (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes with upper margin thickened; pods 7–12 mm wide, mostly straight-sided, curved to circinnate (NW W.A.)
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face
Phyllodes not as above (not combining characters of leads 13 and 14/14:)
Phyllodes 8–16 mm wide; raceme axis 20–35 mm long; pods 7 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 1–4 mm wide; raceme axis 1–2 mm long; pods 3 mm wide (W.A.)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; branchlets, phyllodes or peduncles normally hairy (hairs often sparse and appressed, rarely absent in A. trachycarpa)
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; branchlets, phyllodes and peduncles glabrous
Receptacle with dense, spreading hairs; phyllodes strongly 3- or more-nerved on each face; pods linear, 5–6 mm wide, velvety (SW W.A.)
Receptacle glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy (NW and N Aust.)
Phyllodes and branchlets ±glabrous
Phyllodes and branchlets obviously appressed-hairy
Phyllodes with 2, prominent, raised, acentral nerves on each face; pods glabrous (Qld)
Phyllodes with a central nerve on each face (sometimes obscure nerves either side of it); pods hairy (at least when young) (W.A.)
Phyllodes without a thickened upper margin; pods 4–5 mm wide, submoniliform, ±straight (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes with upper margin thickened; pods 7–12 mm wide, mostly straight-sided, curved to circinnate (NW W.A.)
Phyllodes with obvious, circular stomata (at ×10 mag.), often ±nerveless; calyx 1/4–5/6-dissected; pods woody, narrowed towards base (northern W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (usually without obvious, circular stomata and with 1 or more nerves ±evident on each face)
Spikes 6–8 mm long on peduncles 1.5–4 mm long; phyllodes with 3 plane (not raised) often brown resinous nerves per face (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above (not SW W.A.)
Sepals free to base; pods with narrow marginal wings; spikes 20–30 mm long
Sepals united for c. 1/2 or more of their length; pods not winged
Phyllodes 8–16 cm long; peduncles 5–10 mm long; pods c. 2 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–8 cm long; peduncles normally 3–4 mm long (sometimes to 8 mm in W.A.); pods 3–6 mm wide (W.A., N.T.)
Pods 2–3 mm wide, papery; spikes 11–15 mm long; peduncles 3–5 mm long (southern arid zone: W.A., S.A.)
Pods 5–6 mm wide, woody or subwoody; peduncles commonly > 5 mm long (northern Aust.)
Branchlets red-brown or yellowish red; spikes < 15 mm long, interrupted; pods abruptly contracted at base (Qld)
Branchlets yellow; spikes 15–40 mm long, dense; pods gradually tapered towards base (W.A., N.T.)
Inflorescences all or mostly racemose; raceme axes 2–20 mm long (rarely longer) and sometimes growing out at or before anthesis
Inflorescences all or mostly simple OR if racemose the raceme axes very rudimentary (not more than c. 1 mm long)
Phyllodes linear, l:w mostly > 15
Phyllodes not as above (normally narrowly elliptic and/or l:w less than 15, often falcate)
Phyllodes strongly falcate; peduncles densely hairy, 4–6 mm long (N.T.)
Phyllodes straight OR if falcate then peduncles not as above
Peduncles 5–20 mm long, glabrous; branchlets often pruinose
Peduncles 0.5–5 mm long, glabrous or hairy (hairs sometimes embedded in resin); branchlets normally not pruinose
Phyllode margins red or brown (SW W.A.)
Phyllode margins yellow
Pods 5–6 mm wide; peduncles 6–20 mm long; phyllodes 4–10 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Pods 2–4 mm wide (not W.A.)
Peduncles 10–15 mm long; phyllodes mostly shallowly to obviously falcate, 2.5–6 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles 5–8 mm long; phyllodes ±straight except apices often curved, 4–9 mm wide (N.T.)
Branchlets hairy between the obvious ribs; spikes subdense to clearly interrupted; calyx golden-hairy to ±glabrous (Qld)
Characters not combined as above (calyx hairs never golden)
Spikes 3–10 mm long (N.S.W., Qld)
Spikes > 10 mm long
Bark (upper branches) 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes 1–2.3 mm wide (N.T.)
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes some or all 2–8 mm wide
Calyx villous at base; phyllodes normally 1.5–5 mm wide, apices straight or abruptly subuncinate (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Characters not combined as above (not W.A. or N.T.)
Calyx densely pubescent; phyllodes mostly 2–10 mm wide, with apices normally gently curved or oblique (A.C.T., N.S.W., Vic.)
Calyx sparsely hairy at base and apex; phyllodes mostly 2–4 mm wide, with apices mostly straight (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllode margins red or brown (SW W.A.)
Phyllode margins yellow or green
Penultimate branchlets conspicuously flattened and stout (3.5–11 mm wide); lower margin of phyllodes continuous with branchlets (N.S.W.)
Penultimate branchlets terete or angled to flattened or triquetrous, ±slender; phyllodes rarely continuous with branchlets
Sepals free or united for less than 1/2 their length; phyllodes 7–22 cm long; ovary hairy (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Sepals united for more than 1/2 their length or if not (A. spania) then phyllodes < 7 cm long and ovary glabrous
Pods 5–11 mm wide; branchlets and phyllodes glabrous and commonly pruinose (W.A., N.T.)
Pods c. 4 mm wide; branchlets and phyllodes hairy or glabrous and not pruinose (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Spikes interrupted (receptacle clearly visible between flowers, best observed in mature bud); phyllodes (mature plants) falcate; calyx tube glabrous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Spikes dense or if subdense (i.e. receptacle not or scarcely visible) then phyllodes ±straight and/or calyx tube hairy
Phyllodes obtuse, erect or upcurved from base, with some of the nerves curved near base and normally confluent with lower margin; most spikes to c. 2 cm long (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes and spike characters not combined as above
Phyllodes ±straight and symmetrical with margins ±equally convex or straight
Phyllodes falcate OR if straight then obviously inequilateral with a ±straight lower margin and convex upper margin
Phyllodes with l:w < 6
Phyllodes with l:w > 6
Phyllodes 2–4.5 cm long, obtuse (Qld)
Phyllodes > 5 cm long and/or acute
Phyllodes < 15 mm wide; spikes 1.5–3 cm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes some or all at least 15 mm wide
Calyx tube densely puberulous, resin-hairs absent; spikes pale yellow, 2–4 cm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Calyx tube ±glabrous, lobes with reddish resin-hairs; spikes deep yellow, 3–5 cm long (Qld)
Phyllode nerves not closely crowded (2–4 per mm); branchlets and phyllodes glabrous (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode nerves close together (4–8 per mm)
Branchlets and phyllodes glabrous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Branchlets and phyllodes hairy (indumentum normally appressed) (Qld)
Peduncles hairy (indumentum commonly minute and appressed, sometimes sparse)
Peduncles glabrous, sometimes scurfy
Phyllodes 15–22 cm long, 6–12 mm wide, strongly falcate and narrowed at both ends (N.T.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (not N.T.)
Branchlets (and normally also phyllodes) obviously hairy with spreading or appressed hairs
Branchlets ±glabrous
Branchlets velutinous to pubescent; phyllodes straight, tomentose, sparsely villous or glabrous, 5–10 × 2–4 cm
Characters not combined as in lead 28 above; calyx often golden-hairy
Penultimate branchlets acutely angled to flattened; calyx obviously hairy, with obvious resin-hairs at apex; ovary normally hairy only at apex (N.S.W.)
Penultimate branchlets terete or scarcely angled; calyx ±glabrous; ovary glabrous (Qld)
New shoots not resinous, obviously sericeous with golden hairs aging silvery; phyllodes often falcate, 7–23 mm wide (N.S.W., Vic.)
New shoots resinous, with resin drying brown and obscuring indumentum; phyllodes not falcate, 2–12 mm wide (Qld)
Penultimate branchlets acutely angled to flattened; phyllodes bright green; calyx obviously hairy, with obvious resin-hairs at apex; ovary normally hairy only at apex (N.S.W.)
Penultimate branchlets terete or scarcely angled; calyx glabrous or hairy
Ovary usually densely and conspicuously pubescent, with hairs long and covering entire surface; resin-hairs obvious on calyx lobes; spikes bright golden; phyllodes grey-green (N.S.W.)
Ovary glabrous or hairs normally confined to apex; resin-hairs absent or inconspicuous on calyx lobes
Phyllodes 4–22 mm wide, l:w 6–20 (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 15–30 mm wide, l:w 3.5–6 (Qld)
Calyx tube ±glabrous
Calyx tube pubescent to tomentose, sometimes indumentum confined to base
Phyllodes 15–30 mm wide, l:w 3.5–6 (Qld)
Phyllodes < 15 mm wide, or if not then l:w > 6
Phyllodes 4–10 mm wide, 2.5–11 cm long (N.S.W., Qld)
Phyllodes normally some or all > 10 mm wide, 5–17 cm long
Resin-hairs (red-brown to black) present on calyx lobes (not prominent in A. blakei)
Resin-hairs absent from calyx lobes
Penultimate branchlets acutely angled to flattened; phyllodes bright green; ovary normally hairy only at apex (N.S.W.)
Penultimate branchlets terete or scarcely angled
Spikes bright golden (northern N.S.W.
Spikes pale yellow
Branchlets sometimes slightly pruinose; calyx tube glabrous or with white hyaline hairs (Qld, northern N.S.W.)
Branchlets usually distinctly pruinose; calyx tube with pale yellow, hyaline hairs (southern N.S.W.)
Spikes bright yellow; hairs on calyx straight or slightly curved; ovary glabrous (N.S.W.)
Spikes pale yellow to ±white; hairs on calyx crisped and matted; ovary hairy at base and apex (Qld, N.S.W.)
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Sepals clearly united for 1/4 or more of their length
Phyllodes 10–45 mm wide AND falcate or markedly inequilateral (with lower margin ±straight and upper margin convex)
Phyllodes all < 10 mm wide OR if more then straight to slightly curved and normally ±symmetrical with both margins convex or straight
Peduncles 15–25 mm long; pods woody, not winged, opening elastically from apex (northern W.A.
Peduncles 2–10 mm long; pods (where known) not as above
Receptacle densely golden-hairy; pods 7–15 mm wide, densely hairy; phyllodes 8–16 cm long, 4–13 mm wide, densely sericeous to glabrescent (NW W.A.)
Receptacle glabrous or white-hairy; pods (where known) < 7 mm wide and/or glabrous; phyllodes normally shorter and/or narrower than above
Pulvinus 5–10 mm long; phyllodes 7–16 cm long, 15–30 (–45) mm wide; pods 3–4 mm wide, terete to subterete
Pulvinus 1–4 mm long; phyllodes often shorter or narrower than above
Branchlets almost terete, not resinous; seeds 5.7–7 mm long (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets angled and resinous at extremities; seeds 3–4 mm long (NE Qld)
Phyllodes drying light green, with nerves 5 or 6 per mm; pods terete, 2.5–3.5 mm wide; plants not resinous (Qld)
Phyllodes normally drying brownish, with nerves 2–4 per mm and subdistant; plants resinous; pods (where known) 6–8 mm wide, margins narrowly winged (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–7 cm long; branchlets obviously ribbed, angular towards extremities
Phyllodes 7–10 cm long; branchlets obscurely ribbed, terete
Receptacle moderately to densely hairy (hairs spreading to erect, often glabrous in fruit)
Receptacle glabrous or with clearly appressed hairs
Phyllodes 10–45 mm long, 0.7–3 mm wide, ±loosely hairy, with distinct setose points 1–3 mm long
Phyllodes > 50 mm long and/or > 3 mm wide, often glabrous, with points not setose
Phyllodes 10–25 mm long; pods 3–5 mm wide, submoniliform, ±terete, glabrous or minutely white-puberulous; petals glabrous or white-hairy (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 20–45 mm long; pods c. 10 mm wide, flat, golden (aging white) tomentose; petals golden-hairy (W.A.)
Phyllodes 25–55 mm long, 7–14 mm wide, rounded-obtuse, withred-brown margins and nerves normally of ±uniform prominence; pods 10–12 mm wide, subwoody (S.A.)
Phyllodes and pods not as above (phyllodes normally longer and/or narrower, often ±acute, and midrib normally more prominent than other nerves)
New shoots with golden or iridescent citron-green hairs; receptacle hairs often golden; peduncles < 5 mm long (arid zone)
New shoots glabrous or white-hairy; receptacle hairs white OR if golden then peduncles > 5 mm long (tropical/subtropical zone)
Mature phyllodes appressed-hairy to glabrescent, with yellow marginal nerves; pods 7–15 mm wide, densely hairy (W.A.)
Mature phyllodes glabrous, with red or yellow marginal nerves; pods 3–7 mm wide, ±glabrous (sometimes ±sparsely hairy when young) (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Peduncles densely hairy, 2–3 mm long; phyllodes 3.5–8.5 cm long, subrigid; pods (not known for A. rigescens) neither undulate nor moniliform (N.T.)
Peduncles glabrous (rarely sparsely hairy), often > 3 mm long; phyllodes often > 9 cm long, ±thin; pods undulate or moniliform
Phyllodes 3–4 mm wide; stipules c. 1 mm long
Phyllodes 4–12 mm wide; stipules 1–2 mm long
Pods strongly moniliform; phyllodes 4–18 mm wide, l:w normally 7–22 (N.T., Qld)
Pods flat, undulate, raised over seeds alternately on each side
Phyllodes narrowly linear, < 4.5 mm wide, l:w normally > 40 (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes narrowly elliptic or oblanceolate, rarely linear, > 4.5 mm wide, l:w normally < 40
Pods < 5 mm wide; seeds ±longitudinal; branchlets prominently angled (N.T., Qld)
Pods > 6 mm wide; seeds transverse to oblique; branchlets terete to slightly angular
Petals glabrous or sparsely white-hairy; peduncles 1–6 mm long; pods dark brown (W.A., N.T.)
Petals densely yellow-hairy; peduncles (5–) 7–17 mm long; pods yellowish to light brown (N.T.)
Pods woody; phyllodes 4–18 cm long, glabrous, finely multistriate with nerves close together, commonly with red or brown margins; peduncles 2–7 mm long (W.A.)
Pods chartaceous to coriaceous or crustaceous OR if woody then other characters not combined as above (phyllode margins never red or brown)
Branchlets and phyllodes pendulous; pods not quadrangular
Branchlets not pendulous; phyllodes normally widely spreading; pods quadrangular by prominent wings perpendicular to the face
Phyllodes 1–5.5 cm long and 2–6 mm wide
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long and/or > 6 mm wide
Peduncles 2–10 mm long
Peduncles 10–35 mm long
Pods strongly constricted between seeds, breaking into 1-seeded articles, not winged
Pods not constricted between seeds or breaking into 1-seeded articles, narrowly winged or with resinous marginal nerves
Phyllode apices not attenuate; marginal nerves not yellowish; ovary usually with dense scale-like appressed hairs
Phyllodes with attenuate apex; marginal nerves prominent, yellowish; ovary with dense white longish appressed hairs
Stipules persistent, dark brown, 0.5–2 mm long; bark 'Minni Ritchi' (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Stipules often caducous, < 1 mm long; bark not 'Minni Ritchi' (W.A., Qld)
Branchlets, phyllodes and peduncles glabrous (rarely sparsely hairy in A. plectocarpa) (northern Aust., N of c. 20°S)
Branchlets, phyllodes or peduncles hairy (indumentum often minute and appressed) (S of c. 20°S)
Phyllodes 0.8-1.8 mm wide, 8–16 cm long, 3–7-nerved per face, with narrow (but distinct) spaces between nerves (W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Pods opening elastically from apex, woody, 3–9.5 mm wide, sometimes quadrangular in section
Pods not opening elastically from apex, coriaceous to crustaceous, never quadrangular in section
Peduncles 15–25 mm long (W.A., N.T.)
Peduncles 1.5–4 mm long
Phyllodes to 6 mm wide, normally not tuberculate; branchlets crenulate resin-ribbed (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 6–16 mm wide, sparsely tuberculate; branchlets not crenulate resin-ribbed (W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–7 cm long; branchlets obviously ribbed, angular towards extremities
Phyllodes 7–10 cm long; branchlets obscurely ribbed, terete
Phyllodes with a distinct, brown, ±setose point 1.5–3 mm long; stipules often persistent, 1–2 mm long; pods 2.5–4.5 mm wide, linear (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes without setose points; stipules caducous and/or 0.5–1 mm long
Pods strongly moniliform; phyllodes nerves 8–14 per mm (N.T., Qld)
Pods flat, undulate; phyllodes nerves 4–7 per mm (W.A., N.T.)
Pulvinus orange, smooth and flared at base; phyllodes 3–6.5 mm wide, ±straight and rigid; peduncles 2–5 mm long, hairy (SW W.A.)
Pulvinus not as above
Pods strongly contracted between seeds, breaking into one-seeded articles when mature
Pods not strongly contracted between seeds, not breaking into one-seeded articles
Pods turgid, terete to oval or depressed tetragonous in cross-section; seeds longitudinal
Pods flattened; seeds longitudinal or oblique to transverse
Spikes always solitary in axils
Spikes 1–5 in axils, but never consistently solitary
Phyllodes mostly > 15 cm long; spikes 20–40 mm long; peduncles 10–20 mm long (central western W.A.)
Phyllodes very rarely > 15 cm long; spikes 5–30 mm long; peduncles 3–15 mm long
Pods cylindrical, abruptly tapered at each end, to 13.5 cm long, 8–10 mm diam.; sepals 0.6–1.2 mm long (all mainland states except Vic.)
Pods narrowly oblong, oval in section, to 7.5 cm long, 4–6 mm wide; sepals 0.5–0.8 mm long (all mainland states except Vic.)
Pods cylindrical, abruptly tapered at each end, 8–10 mm diam.; seeds 6–12 mm long(all mainland states except Vic.)
Pods terete to depressed-tetragonous in section, < 7 mm wide/diam.; seeds 2.2–6.5 mm long
Pods depressed-tetragonous in section, c. 7 mm wide; seeds 5–6.5 mm long (W.A.)
Pods terete, 1.5–2 mm wide; seeds 2.2–4 mm long (W.A.)
Phyllodes 5–20 (or more) cm long, l:w > 10
Phyllodes always < 9 cm long, l:w < 10
Seeds ±longitudinal; peduncles 4–9 mm long; pods not winged
Seeds oblique to transverse; peduncles 6–12 mm long; pods with wings 1–2 mm wide
Phyllodes orbicular to broadly obovate or oblong, 1.5–2.5 cm long, 8–12 mm wide; pods with prominent wings c. 3 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes elliptic, broadly lanceolate or falcate, 0.5–9 cm long, 0.8–9 (–13) mm wide; pods with wings to 2 mm wide, or wings absent
Phyllodes 0.5–2.5 (–3) cm long (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Phyllodes 2.5–8.5 cm long
Phyllodes not long-attenuate at apex, without prominent yellowish marginal nerves; calyx sometimes with a few hyaline hairs (all mainland states except Vic.)
Phyllodes long-attenuate at apex, prominent yellowish marginal nerves; calyx with long hyaline hairs (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Branchlets, phyllodes AND peduncles glabrous (ignore pulvinus)
Branchlets, phyllodes or peduncles hairy to some degree (indumentum often appressed, minute or sparse, sometimes obscured by resin)
Phyllodes some or all more than 25 times longer than wide (ignore young phyllodes at branchlet apices)
Phyllodes all less than 25 times longer than wide
Branchlets ±pruinose
Branchlets not pruinose
Spikes golden; phyllodes 8–19 cm long (N.T.
Spikes lemon yellow; phyllodes pendent, 13–30 cm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllode nerves prominently raised AND/OR subdistant (i.e. with wide inter-nerve spaces), 1–4 per mm; pods opening elastically from the widened apex and/or ±woody
Phyllode nerves not or scarcely raised and very close together, 5–12 per mm; pods neither significantly tapered towards base nor opening elastically from apex (unknown for A. proiantha)
Peduncles < 5 mm long
Peduncles 5 mm long or more (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Spikes 15–25 mm long; pods 5–10 mm wide, not tapered towards base; erect shrubs c. 2 m high (Qld)
Spikes 4–12 mm long; pods < 5.5 mm wide, clearly tapered towards base; ±prostrate subshrub (northern W.A.)
Branchlets not resin-ribbed; penultimate branchlets pale yellowish orange or red-brown; phyllode nerves not prominently raised (but marginal nerves discrete)
Branchlet apices with prominent, crenulate, resin-ribs; penultimate branchlets ±yellow; phyllode nerves prominent and raised
Phyllodes linear, 13–34 × 0.6–2 cm; spikes clearly interrupted; flowers large (c. 3 mm long); pods woody, to 15 × 2 cm (W.A., N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes normally widely spreading and recurved, with red- or brown-resinous margins; pods quadrangular by marginal wings perpendicular to face, 7–12 mm wide, woody (W.A.)
Phyllodes normally ascending to erect and ±straight, without red- or brown-resinous margins; pods chartaceous to coriaceous or crustaceous, not quadrangular, < 7 mm wide (except A. stowardii)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi' (at least on upper branches); phyllodes with nerves normally of uniform prominence
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes commonly with the central nerve slightly to evidently more pronounced than the rest
Phyllodes to 10 cm long, 2.5–8 mm wide, not acuminate; 'Minni Ritchi' bark extending to base of main trunks (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 12–23 cm long, c. 1–2.3 mm wide, acuminate; 'Minni Ritchi' bark replaced by a grey fibrous layer on c. lowest 2 m of main trunks (N.T.)
Phyllodes acuminate with obviously recurved tips (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not acuminate and/or tips straight (not SW W.A.)
Phyllodes all or mostly > 3 mm wide
Phyllodes 1–3 mm wide
Peduncles 4–15 mm long; spikes dense, 8–25 mm long (normally not more than twice peduncle length) (arid zone: W.A., N.T.
Characters not combined as above (spikes more than twice length of peduncles)
Spikes to 1 cm long; peduncles 0.5–3.5 mm long; phyllodes 8–22 cm long, 1.5–3.5 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Spikes and/or peduncles longer than above
Phyllodes 11–17.5 cm long, 1–1.5 mm wide, midrib clearly evident; spikes 1–2 cm long; peduncles 4–6 mm long (N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 8–19 cm long, with central nerve slightly to markedly more pronounced than rest; trees to 15 m high (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 1.5–12.5 cm long, with nerves commonly of uniform prominence; shrubs or trees to 5 m high (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Bark ±'Minni Ritchi'
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'
Phyllodes 1–5 cm long, 1.2–5 (–7) mm wide, with a short but distinct apical cusp and nerves 2–4 per mm and clearly separated from one another; stipules persistent; viscid shrubs (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes lacking an apical cusp, with nerves close together and 5–12 per mm; stipules caducous or insignificant
Phyllodes 6–10 cm long, 8–20 mm wide, commonly inequilateral with lower margin ±straight and upper margin convex, sometimes falcate; ±resinous trees (Qld)
Phyllodes mostly 2.5–10 cm long and 2–8 mm wide, normally ±symmetrical with both margins straight or convex; resinous shrubs or trees (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes linear, 13–34 × 0.6–2 cm; spikes clearly interrupted; flowers large (c. 3 mm long); pods woody, to 15 × 2 cm (W.A., N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles all or mostly > 10 mm long
Peduncles 1.5–10 mm long
Branchlet apices with prominent, crenulate, resin-ribs; phyllode nerves widely spaced, prominent and sometimes raised
Branchlet apices not as above; phyllode nerves not prominently raised
Penultimate branchlets yellow to pale brown; calyx c. 3/4-united or more (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Penultimate branchlets red-brown; calyx c. 1/2-united (W.A.)
Phyllode mucro ±setose (distinct & brown); stipules often persistent; phyllodes mostly 5–12 cm × 5–12 mm (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 1–6 cm long, 1–6 mm wide; pods woody; spikes about as long as peduncles
Characters not combined as above
Calyx dissected for 1/2–4/5 its length into narrow lobes (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Calyx shallowly dissected (for c. 1/5 its length) into broadly triangular lobes (W.A.)
Pods chartaceous; phyllode nerves very close together (inter-nerve spaces not more than twice nerve width), 7–12 per mm (arid zone)
Pods ±woody; phyllode nerves normally distinctly separated (inter-nerve spaces more than twice nerve width: nerves sometimes obscured by fine surface wrinkling), 2–8 per mm (tropical/subtropical species, except A. ancistrocarpa)
Phyllodes 4–15 (–25) mm wide, l:w = 3–13; pods 10–20 mm wide, seeds transverse to slightly oblique (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Phyllodes 1–4 (–9) mm wide, l:w = 9–40; pods 4–7 (–11) mm wide; seeds longitudinal to oblique (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Corolla large (3–4 mm long); spikes clearly interrupted (N.T., Qld)
Corolla smaller tahn above; spikes dense or subdense
Calyx deeply dissected for 1/2 or more its length into narrow lobes; pods ±longitudinally nerved (W.A., N.T.)
Calyx shallowly dissected (for less than 1/2 its length) into broadly triangular lobes; pods obliquely nerved
Phyllodes with l:w > 7, normally gradually narrowed at apex to an acute tip; mucro not thick and knob-like (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with l:w = 2–7, ±abruptly narrowed at apex to a distinct, thickened, knob-like mucro (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 7–30 mm long; branchlet apices angled by prominent, often crenulate, resin-ribs (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes some or all > 30 mm long and/or branchlets not as above
Phyllodes with 2 acentral nerves more prominent than rest; pods papery, 5–8 mm wide (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with nerves of uniform prominence OR midnerve (and sometimes 1 or 2 on either side of it) more prominent than rest
Phyllodes with a distinct, brown, ±setose point 1.5–3 mm long, mostly 5–12 cm long and 5–12 mm wide; stipules often persistent (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets obviously flattened towards apices; spikes ±white; pods woody, opening elastically from apex (Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Pods valves deeply grooved; phyllodes mostly 6–12 mm wide; shrubs to c. 5 m high
Pod valves not deeply grooved; phyllodes 15–25 (–32) mm wide; shrubs to 2.5 m high
Pods woody, 5–35 (–45) mm wide and commonly opening elastically from apex
Pods chartaceous to coriaceous or crustaceous, OR if subwoody then < 5 mm wide or the phyllode nerves very close together (< 0.3 mm apart and more than 4 per mm)
Pods quadrangular in section; phyllodes 2–7 mm wide, with nerves numerous and close together (5–9 per mm), normally with red- or brown-resinous margins (southern W.A.)
Pods not quadrangular; phyllode characters not combined as above (not southern W.A.)
Phyllodes falcate or obviously inequilateral (lower margin ±straight, upper margin convex), 5–27 cm long, 5–45 mm wide, with nerves close together (4–8 per mm); pods 10–35 (–45) mm wide, not opening elastically from apex
Phyllodes ±straight and symmetrical OR if as above then phyllodes < 7 mm wide or nerves clearly distant (mostly 0.3–0.6 mm apart and 1–4 per mm) or pods opening elastically from apex
Pods normally 25–35 mm wide; funicle-aril > 25 mm long when fully extended (Qld, PNG)
Pods 10–20 mm wide; funicle-aril 8–25 mm long when fully extended (W.A., N.T., Qld, N.S.W., PNG)
Pods and branchlets yellow to pale brown; calyx diaphanous, membranous, white; phyllode nerves often raised
Pods and branchlets dark coloured; calyx not as above (drying brownish)
Peduncles 2–4 mm long; branchlet apices not as above (northern N.T.)
Peduncles 6–15 mm long; branchlet apices with prom-inent, crenulate, resin-ribs (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 4–8 cm long, 3–5 mm wide, l:w = 12–20 (Qld)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Bracteoles sessile; phyllode nerves (except central one) normally translucent, not raised and drying dark brownish; peduncles 4–6 mm long (N.T., Qld)
Bracteoles stipitate; phyllode nerves yellow and/or slightly raised
Phyllodes 2.5–7 cm long, 6–23 mm wide, l:w = 2–7, ±abruptly narrowed at apex to a distinct, thickened, knob-like mucro (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes mostly 5–18 cm long, 1.5–10 mm wide; mucro not knob-like
Peduncles c. 3 mm long; pods not obliquely reticulately nerved (Qld)
Peduncles > 3 mm long; pods obliquely reticulately nerved (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 4–8 mm wide, thin textured, with nerves clearly separated from one another (0.3–0.5 mm apart); peduncles 1.5–2 mm long (N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets acutely angled, especially towards apices; spikes dense (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets terete, sometimes ribbed
Branchlets vernicose (appearing varnished); phyllodes mostly 9–17 × 2–4 cm, often curved upwards from much narrowed base; flowers large (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets not vernicose; phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes falcately recurved OR obviously inequilateral with a ±straight lower margin and a clearly convex upper margin
Phyllodes straight (with both margins ±straight or convex) to slightly incurved or slightly recurved over entire length, or obviously recurved only towards apices
Pulvinus 5–10 mm long; pods 5–8 mm wide, flat; branchlets sometimes pruinose (NW W.A.)
Pulvinus 2–4 mm long; pods 2–5 mm wide, terete to flat; branchlets not pruinose (except sometimes in A. shirleyi) (not W.A.)
Spikes ±interrupted; pods ±submoniliform; phyllodes mostly 10–19 cm long and 2–9 mm wide (N.T., Qld)
Spikes ±dense; pods straight-edged
Pulvinus (3–) 5–10 mm long; pods hairy, 5–8 mm wide; phyllodes (5–) 8–14 cm long (NW W.A.)
Pulvinus 2–4 mm long; pods glabrous
Phyllodes with narrow but distinct spaces between the nerves (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes with nerves very close together
Phyllodes with nerves of uniform prominence or the central 1–3 slightly more evident than the rest, normally < 9 cm long; pods 4–20 mm wide, chartaceous
Phyllodes with central nerve clearly more evident than rest, normally > 9 cm long; pods 3–5 mm wide, ±crustaceous or coriaceous
Trees to 10 m high; phyllodes 2.5–8 mm wide, l:w = 9–20 (–35); pods 5–9 mm wide; seeds oblique (Qld)
Shrubs or trees to 5 m high
Phyllodes 4–15 (–25) mm wide, l:w = 3–13; pods 10–20 mm wide; seeds transverse to slightly oblique (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Phyllodes 1–4 (–8) mm wide, l:w = 9–40; pods 4–7 (–11) mm wide; seeds longitudinal to oblique (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Spikes ±interrupted; calyx less than 1/2 length of corolla; pods ±submoniliform (N.T., Qld)
Spikes dense; calyx 1/2 or more length of corolla; pods straight-edged (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes some or all > 10 mm wide
Phyllodes not more than 10 mm wide
Phyllodes 4–8 × 1.5–3.5 cm, densely clothed with silky, appressed, silvery hairs; pods woody, narrowed towards base, with indumentum as on phyllodes (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets acutely angled; spikes dense; pods 3–4 mm wide (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets terete
Phyllodes falcately curved OR obviously inequilateral with a ±straight lower margin and a clearly convex upper margin
Phyllodes ±straight and with both margins straight to shallowly convex
Spikes interrupted (best observed in mature bud); pods 3–5 mm wide (NW W.A.)
Spikes dense
Pulvinus 5–10 mm long
Pulvinus 2–4 mm long; pods 2–5 mm wide
Peduncles densely hairy; phyllodes l:w = 3–5; pods c. 3 mm wide, glabrous (NE Qld)
Peduncles sparsely hairy; phyllodes l:w = 6–12; pods 5–8 mm wide, hairy (NW W.A.)
Spikes to 1 cm long; pods 4–5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Spikes 2–7 cm long
Branchlets with dense, spreading minute hairs (Qld, N.S.W.)
Branchlets glabrous or appressed-hairy
Phyllodes with 3 or more major nerves confluent with lower margin near base; peduncles 1–3 mm long; pods terete, 3 mm wide (W.A., N.T., Qld, ?S.A.)
Phyllode nerves not basally concurrent; peduncles 3–15 mm long; pods not terete, 5–15 mm wide (NW W.A.)
Spikes interrupted; calyx 1/6–1/3 length of corolla, often yellow-hairy; pods glabrous
Spikes dense; calyx 1/2–2/3 length of corolla, white-hairy; pods hairy
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'
Phyllodes 1–5 cm long, linear-oblanceolate, with obvious and eccentric mucro; peduncles 1–3.5 cm long (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes > 5 cm long OR if shorter then characters not combined as above
Spikes interrupted, c. 3 mm wide, ±cream; pods very viscid, narrowly winged (northern W.A.)
Spikes dense OR > 4 mm wide, yellow to golden; pods neither viscid nor winged
Spikes ±sessile and 5–7 mm long; phyllodes striate by fine, close nerves, appressed-hairy, glabrescent (Qld, N.S.W.)
Spike characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with less than 10, distant and/or raised nerves on each face; pods hairy (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with more than 10, close, very fine (not raised) nerves
Phyllodes and branchlets ±glabrous
Phyllodes and branchlets obviously appressed-hairy
Spikes clearly interrupted; phyllodes 7–15 cm long; bark orange-red (NW W.A.)
Spikes ±dense; phyllodes (1.5–) 2.5–10 cm long; bark dark red to maroon (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Peduncles and receptacles pubescent-tomentulose with dense, ±spreading, often crisped hairs
Peduncles or receptacles glabrous OR if both hairy then hairs usually sparse, straight or closely appressed
Phyllodes narrowly linear, > 8 cm long and < 3 mm wide (northern N.T.)
Phyllodes shorter or wider than above
Phyllodes obviously falcately curved OR obviously inequilateral with a ±straight lower margin and a clearly convex upper margin; apices not setose
Phyllodes straight or very shallowly curved, with apical points normally distinct and often setose
Phyllodes with nerves of uniform prominence, 3–5.5 cm long, 2–4 mm wide (N.T., rare)
Phyllodes with 1 or 2 nerves more prominent than rest, normally wider or longer than above
Stipules caducous; phyllodes 6–12 cm long, the most prominent nerve acentral; mature pods glabrous (Qld, PNG)
Stipules persistent, 2–4 mm long; phyllodes with the most prominent nerve central; pods hairy
Phyllodes 3–10.5 cm long, 4–8 mm wide; pods puberulous-scurfy (northern N.T.)
Phyllodes 2–4.5 cm long, 1.5–3 mm wide; pods densely tomentose (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes normally widely spreading, shallowly recurved and with red- or brown-resinous margins; pods quadrangular by marginal wings perpendicular to face, 7–12 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; pods not quadrangular
Receptacle appressed-hairy (indumentum sparse to dense)
Receptacle glabrous or with sparse spreading hairs
All phyllodes < 4 mm wide
All phyllodes > 3.5 mm wide
Spikes interrupted, 10–34 mm long; phyllodes usually silvery-sericeous
Spikes dense, 5–30 mm long; phyllodes appressed-pubescent between nerves
Pods cylindrical, abruptly tapered at each end, to 13.5 cm long, 8–10 mm diam.; sepals 0.6–1.2 mm long
Pods narrowly oblong, oval in section, to 7.5 cm long, 4–6 mm wide; sepals 0.5–0.8 mm long
Spikes 7–12 mm long, not interrupted; phyllodes ±straight and often obtuse (W.A.)
Spikes > 12 mm long, ±interrupted (best observed in mature bud); phyllodes often acute (not SW W.A.)
Peduncles 4–7 mm long; pods 2–3 mm wide, terete
Peduncles 2–3 mm long; pods 4–5 mm wide, flat
Phyllodes falcately curved and thin; pods 3–5 mm wide (NW W.A.)
Phyllodes ±straight and rigid; pods 7–22 mm wide
Spikes 3–4 mm wide at anthesis; pods yellowish and normally coarsely wrinkled (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Spikes 5–7 mm wide at anthesis; pods dark brown and smooth (NW W.A.)
Pulvinus orange, smooth and flared at base; spikes 13–35 mm long; peduncles 2–5 mm long (SW W.A.)
Pulvinus not as above (normally yellowish and transversely wrinkled, not flared at base)
Spikes not more than 15 mm long
Spikes some or all > 15 mm long
Phyllodes 0.8–3 mm wide; prostrate or semi-prostrate subshrub (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–14 mm wide; tall erect shrubs (southern W.A.)
Phyllodes 8–19 cm long, 3–6 mm wide, subglabrous, with midnerve conspicuous and raised; peduncles 3.5–9 mm long; pods 5–6 mm wide
Characters not combined as above (phyllodes normally shorter and/or broader and more densely hairy than above)
Peduncles 4–7 mm long; pods 2–3 mm wide, terete
Peduncles 2–3 mm long; pods 4–5 mm wide, flat
Phyllodes with 2 acentral nerves more prominent than rest (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with nerves of uniform prominence OR midnerve (and sometimes 1 or 2 on either side of it) more prominent than rest
Phyllodes more than 15 times longer than wide
Phyllodes < 15 times longer than wide
Phyllodes of mature plants moderately hairy, falcate, mostly > 6 mm wide (Qld)
Phyllodes glabrous, normally linear, 1.5–5 mm wide and straight or shallowly curved (some Qld specimens of A. shirleyi to 11 mm wide or falcate)
Peduncles 1–3 mm long (W.A.)
Peduncles (3–) 5–9 mm long (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes falcately recurved OR obviously inequilateral with a ±straight lower margin and a clearly convex upper margin
Phyllodes ±straight (W.A.)
Pulvinus 5–10 mm long; pods 5–8 mm wide, flat, slightly undulate (NW W.A.)
Pulvinus 2–4 mm long; pods 2–5 mm wide, terete to subterete
Phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous; pulvinus 4–10 mm long; stipules caducous
Phyllodes green; pulvinus 1–2 mm long; stipules often persistent
Phyllodes absent, rudimentary or reduced to scales
Phyllodes present and normally numerous and conspicuous (occasionally few and/or difficult to distinguish from branchlets)
Heads 20–40-flowered; petals not striate; flowers mostly 5-merous
Heads 1–17-flowered
Divaricately branched shrubs with numerous, short, rigid, widely spreading, ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent) branchlets
Characters not as above (branchlets innocuous or coarsely spinose, tortuous or relatively straight, sparingly divided and ascending to erect) (W.A.)
Branchlets green, striate-ribbed; pods moniliform, 6–12 mm wide (W.A., N.T.)
Branchlets glaucous, with ribs few and obscure; pods linear, 3–4 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Heads in elongated racemes 1–6 cm long, enclosed when young by conspicuous brown bracts; rush-like shrub with green or sometimes glaucous stems
Heads in rudimentary, usually 1-headed racemes up to 1 mm long
Intricate shrub with tortuous, green or brown branchlets; peduncles 3–4 mm long; pods 3–4 mm wide; phyllodes rudimentary, reduced to horn-like projections to 1 mm long
Fastigiate shrub with rather straight, ash grey branchlets; peduncles 5–10 mm long; pods 5–7 mm wide
Petals finely flabellate-striate (best observed in buds at ×10 mag.); branchlets not spinose; pods ±quadrangular (not known for A. volubilis) (SW W.A.)
Petals not striate; branchlets ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent); pods linear to moniliform
Flowers 4-merous; peduncles 4–15 mm long, glabrous or sparsely hairy
Flowers 5-merous; peduncles 0–5 mm long, densely hairy
Heads 1–4-flowered; pods 4–5 mm wide
Heads 8–12-flowered; pods 8–10 mm wide
Branches obviously tortuous; stipules 0.5 mm long, subspinose (basal portions persistent as tooth-like projections)
Branches ±straight; stipules 1.5–3 mm long, not spinose
Heads on peduncles 7–15 mm long, 14–16-flowered; pods c. 10 mm wide (W.A.)
Heads ±sessile, 3–8-flowered; pods 2–3 mm wide (S.A., Vic.)
Branchlets winged usually by decurrent phyllodes (wings broad or narrow)
Branchlets angled to terete, not winged (but phyllodes sometimes continuous with branchlets)
Petals flabellate-striate (best observed in buds at ×10 mag.); flowers 4-merous; pods quadrangular by winged margins (SW W.A.)
Petals not flabellate-striate (veinless or with 1 central vein); flowers 5-merous (except A. incurva); pods not quadrangular
Wings occurring in a single plane on opposite sides of the branchlets; phyllodes not sharply pungent (except sometimes in A. alata)
Wings occurring in 3 or more planes on branchlets; phyllodes pungent or not
Glands 1–3 on prominently raised angles along upper margin of free portion of phyllode (SW W.A.)
Glands not on raised angles
Sepals ±free or very shortly united at base; pods 2–5 mm wide; seeds longitudinal in pods; heads 16–80-flowered, golden to light golden
Sepals united to near apex; pods 7–15 mm wide; seeds transverse in pods; heads 10–21-flowered, golden, white, or cream to pale lemon yellow (SW W.A.)
Racemes 1–10 cm long; heads 10–15 mm diam. at anthesis, 60–70-flowered; pods linear, to 12 cm long (W.A.)
Racemes extremely reduced, to 1.5 mm long; heads 5–6 mm diam. at anthesis (dry); pods curved to coiled and twisted, to 2 cm long (SW W.A.)
Heads 30–80-flowered; phyllodes glaucous, with free portion acute, densely tomentulous in axils
Heads 16–23-flowered; phyllodes green to subglaucous, with free portion rounded, minutely resin-haired in axils
Heads white or cream to pale lemon yellow; phyllodes grey-green to glaucous; pods 10–15 mm wide
Heads golden; phyllodes dark green; pods 7–8 mm wide
Phyllodes 10–20 × 2–4 mm, few and scattered, innocuous, not continuous with the narrowly winged branchlets (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes elliptic to obovate, 1–7 cm wide, innocuous; heads densely 35–130-flowered
Phyllodes ±linear to terete, < 1 cm wide, normally sharply pungent; heads 6–32-flowered (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences simple, initiated synchronously with phyllodes on new shoots; peduncles 10–25 mm long (southern W.A., S.A.)
Inflorescences elongated racemes 3–8 (–15) cm long; peduncles 3–7 mm long (SW W.A.)
Flowers 4-merous; heads closely sessile; pods terete, not constricted between seeds
Flowers 5-merous; heads on peduncles 3–15 mm long; pods not as above
Phyllodes 6–24 cm long, mucronate, linear and often resembling branchlets
Phyllodes < 6 cm long, ±pungent, linear to linear-lanceolate or narrowly triangular, straight or curved
Phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous, free portion normally 2–10 mm long; aril facing apex of pod
Phyllodes green, free portion 10–40 (–60) mm long; aril facing base of pod
Phyllodes all whorled in regular or sometimes oblique whorls which are clearly separated from one another
Phyllodes scattered, spiral, fasciculate or opposite (occasionally a few subwhorled)
Phyllodes pungent (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not pungent, though commonly abruptly mucronate (northern arid and tropical Aust., N.S.W.)
Flowers 5-merous
Flowers 4-merous
Branchlets ribbed; phyllodes 10–30 (–40) mm long; heads cream to pale yellow; pods striate, 2.5–3.5 mm wide
Branchlets not ribbed; phyllodes normally 8–19 mm long, sometimes shorter; heads golden; pods not striate, 5–7 mm wide
Plants quite prostrate
Plants erect or spreading, occasionally sprawling
Flowers 6–8 per head; calyx 1.8–2 mm long (NW W.A.)
Flowers 16–25 per head; calyx 0.5–0.8 mm long
Phyllodes 6–9 per whorl, prominently uncinate; stipules 1.5–2 mm long; calyx lobes triangular (N.T.)
Phyllodes 9–12 per whorl with straight or slightly curved mucro; stipules c. 1 mm long; calyx lobes irregular, rounded (northern W.A.)
Corolla lobes not or obscurely striate
Corolla lobes striate
Stipules typically absent, if present then minute; phyllodes commonly 5–7 per whorl (Qld, N.S.W.)
Stipules prominent; phyllodes commonly 8 or more per whorl
Calyx glabrous
Calyx lobes hairy at least in part
Stipules 3–4.5 mm long (NW W.A.)
Stipules < 3 mm long
Plant viscid
Plant not viscid (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes 8–12 (–14) per whorl; mucro < 1 mm long; calyx 0.8–1.2 mm long (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 15–20 per whorl; mucro 2.5–3 mm long; calyx c. 1.5 mm long (northern W.A.)
Calyx 0.4–0.6 mm long (NW W.A.)
Calyx > 1 mm long
Calyx c. 1.2 mm long; phyllode mucro 1–1.5 mm long (NE Qld)
Calyx 1.7–2.2 mm long; phyllode mucro 0.2–0.5 mm long (SE Qld)
Calyx lobes broadly triangular or rounded
Calyx lobes linear or subulate
Flowers 25–35 per head; seeds transverse or slightly oblique (northern W.A., N.T.)
Flowers 10–25 per head; seeds longitudinal
Phyllodes 14–18 per whorl; stipules 3–4.5 mm long; pods not viscid (NW W.A.)
Phyllodes 5–11 per whorl; stipules 0.4–3 mm long; pods viscid
Branchlets velvety-tomentose; pods sessile (arid zone: W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets pubescent, puberulous or glabrous; pods stipitate (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllode mucro 2–4 mm long; flowers 40–50 per head (W.A.)
Phyllode mucro (if present) to 1.5 mm long; flowers usually fewer than 40 per head
Phyllodes usually 2–5 mm long, occasionally to 9 mm; branchlets not viscid
Phyllodes usually 8–15 mm long, occasionally as short as 6 mm; branchlets or at least stipules viscid
Phyllodes 6–10 per whorl; mucro oblique, to 0.2 mm long, or absent; seeds transverse or slightly oblique (northern W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 10–14 per whorl; mucro curved, commonly 1–1.5 mm long; seeds longitudinal (northern W.A., N.T.)
Stipules 2–3 mm long; phyllodes 8–15 mm long; calyx 0.9–1.5 mm long (northern W.A., N.T.)
Stipules < 2 mm long; phyllodes typically < 8 mm long; calyx 0.6–0.9 mm long (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes terete to subterete, trigonous, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or plano-convex in section
Phyllodes flat (although when very narrow and thick they may approach subterete or slightly rhombic in section)
Phyllodes clearly continuous with branchlets (lower edge of phyllode decurrent with branchlet nerve)
Phyllodes not continuous with branchlets; pulvinus present or absent
Flowers 4-merous (W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous
Petals flabellate-striate (best observed in unopened flowers at ×10 mag.); pods quadrangular by prominently winged margins; branchlets and phyllodes sometimes muricate
Petals nerveless or 1-nerved; pods not quadrangular; branchlets and phyllodes not muricate
Phyllodes scarcely pungent, apices straight (rarely subuncinate), pentagonal-terete to almost flat; pods 4–5 mm wide
Phyllodes sharply pungent (with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch) and/or obviously uncinate, flat; pods 5–10 mm wide
Phyllodes tortuous, c. 0.5 mm wide; heads on glabrous peduncles 6–13 mm long
Phyllodes erect, arcuate to circinnate, 0.8–3 mm wide; heads sessile
Phyllodes rudimentary, to 10 mm long
Phyllodes some or all > 10 mm long
Phyllodes sharply pungent with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch; petals not striate; heads 15–30-flowered
Phyllodes not pungent; petals flabellate-striate; heads 10–15-flowered; branches obviously tortuous (W.A.)
Branches green; bracteoles evident in mature buds; pods constricted between seeds (S.A., N.S.W.)
Branches glaucous to subglaucous; bracteoles inconspicuous, not evident in buds; pods straight-edged or slightly constricted between seeds (W.A.)
Branchlets and/or flowering peduncles hairy (best observed at ×10 mag.) (W.A.)
Branchlets and/or flowering peduncles glabrous
Heads sessile; calyx entire but deeply cleft adaxially, dark brown, fimbriolate; pods tightly coiled or twisted; phyllodes 1–3 mm wide
Heads on peduncles 2–20 mm long; calyx 5-lobed; pods not coiled or twisted; phyllodes 0.7–2 mm wide
Phyllodes 1.5–6 cm long
Phyllodes > 6 cm long
Calyx lobes and bracteoles obviously acuminate; phyllodes often uncinate; branchlets not pruinose
Calyx lobes and bracteoles not acuminate; phyllodes not uncinate; branchlets variably pruinose
Phyllodes innocuous, ±curved, 8-nerved; peduncles 3–10 mm long, often paired
Phyllodes sharply pungent with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch, rigid, with numerous nerves, those on the 4 angles of the phyllode slightly broader than the rest; peduncles 2–3 mm long, up to 4 at each node
Phyllodes 6–40 cm long
Phyllodes to 6 cm long, pentagonal or ±terete; pods < 10 mm wide; shrubs to 2 m high
Phyllodes sharply pungent with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch
Phyllodes innocuous, sparse, 6–24 cm long, 5-nerved; peduncles 3–8 mm long, pods 3–4 mm wide; spindly shrubs to 3 m high (W.A.)
Phyllodes 8–12 cm long, sometimes 40 cm, quadrangular with a nerve at the apex of each angle; peduncles 12–15 mm long, solitary in axils; pods 30–50 mm wide, papery; trees (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 6–12 cm long, rigid, with numerous nerves, those on the four angles of the phyllode slightly broader than the rest; peduncles 2–3 mm long, up to 4 at each node; pods 2.5 mm wide; dense shrubs (W.A.)
Phyllodes 8-nerved (W.A.)
Phyllodes 5- or 7-nerved
Phyllodes 2–3 (–5) cm long, straight or shallowly recurved, sometimes strongly reflexed, other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes mostly 1–2 cm long, strongly recurved; stipules ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent); pods 4–7.5 mm wide
Bracteoles dark brown and clearly evident between flowers in mature buds; phyllodes 1–4 cm long
Bracteoles not evident between flowers in mature buds (W.A.)
Phyllodes strongly recurved, with prominent, raised nerves; stipules persistent, 1–1.5 mm long; peduncles 8–12 mm long; pods curved to 1-coiled, constricted between seeds (S.A., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes straight to shallowly recurved, with rather obscure nerves; stipules caducous; peduncles 2–6 mm long; pods straight, not constricted between seeds (W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–6 cm long; heads 10–13-flowered; peduncles 7–15 mm long; pods to 2.5 cm long
Phyllodes to 2 cm long; heads 15–24-flowered; peduncles 3–8 mm long; pods to 8 cm long
Phyllodes sharply pungent by needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch
Phyllodes innocuous (but commonly with a slender mucro or narrowed to hard, rigid points which do not readily pierce the skin upon touch)
Phyllodes with 0–7 longitudinal nerves in all (the nerves sometimes obscure, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes with 8 or more longitudinal nerves in all (nerves sometimes obscure, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Stipules spinose or subspinose (sometimes minute)
Stipules scarious and/or absent
Phyllodes 4–10 mm long AND ±nerveless; branchlets hairy; peduncles 7–14 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 10 mm long OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length; phyllodes 20–45 mm long, pentagonal-terete and 5-nerved (SW W.A.)
Sepals free
Phyllodes glaucous; branchlets ±ribless, reddish aging to light grey
Phyllodes green; branchlets ribbed, green
Phyllodes 4–10 mm long; peduncles 1.5–3 mm long, glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes or peduncles longer than above
Stipules prominent, (3–) 5–12 mm long, rigid and widely spreading; phyllodes 20–65 mm long, terete, obscurely 4-nerved; peduncles 15–25 mm long (N.T., S.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes slender (0.7–1.5 mm wide), erect, normally terete, obscurely 4-nerved; branchlets finely ribbed, variably pruinose (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 6-nerved (S.A.)
Phyllodes 4- or 5-nerved (SW W.A.)
Branchlets prominently ribbed, glabrous; heads 15–25-flowered
Branchlets finely ribbed or ribless; hairy or glabrous; heads 30–50-flowered
Phyllodes very few and scattered; branchlets divaricate and somewhat spinose, striate-ribbed, glabrous, green (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes numerous and evident; branchlets not as above
Phyllodes fasciculate in groups of normally 2–6 on nodose, dwarf, lateral branchlets (single on new shoots); peduncles 10–30 mm long; funicle bright yellow and encircling seed (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes not fasciculate OR if so then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes all < 3 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 3 cm long
Phyllodes 0–4-nerved in all
Phyllodes 5- or 7-nerved in all (W.A.)
Flowers 3- or 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Heads 2–6-flowered; peduncles 1.5–2 mm long (Tas.)
Heads 12–25-flowered; peduncles 5–30 mm long
Branchlets glabrous, prominently ribbed; phyllodes 10 mm or more long, sessile (S.A., N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Branchlets hairy or glabrous, ribless or obscurely ribbed; phyllodes 5–20 mm long, with a very short, yet discernible pulvinus
Phyllodes terete to quadrangular, obscurely 4-nerved; peduncles 5–13 mm long (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes trigonous-terete, normally 3-nerved, deeply channelled on either side of abaxial nerve; peduncles 5 mm long (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences 1–3-headed racemes; raceme axes 1–3 mm long, enclosed when young by large, conspicuous, brown bracts, scars observable at base of raceme axis (×10 mag.) after bracts have fallen (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences simple OR if racemose then raceme axis < 1 mm long and its base ebracteate or with minute bracts
Heads less than 10-flowered, cream-coloured; petals glabrous
Heads more than 10-flowered, golden; petals with sparse brown to black hairs
Phyllodes quadrangular with a nerve at apex of each angle, not (or scarcely) dilated at base
Phyllodes terete, nerveless, prominently dilated at base
Phyllodes slightly but noticeably widened at base
Phyllodes not widened at base
Phyllodes ±nerveless, terete to compressed, 4–10 mm long; peduncles 7–14 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes flat with a prominent midrib or (when very narrow) quadrangular (eastern Aust.)
Peduncles 7–15 mm long; heads creamy yellow (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Peduncles 1.4–4 mm long
Heads 10–18-flowered, lemon yellow, bracteoles not exserted in buds; pods 1–3-seeded (Qld)
Heads 20–30-flowered, golden, bracteoles often slightly exserted in buds; pods more than 3-seeded (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 4–10 mm long, ±nerveless, thick, terete to compressed; peduncles 7–14 mm long; branchlets hairy (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 10 mm long OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Heads ±sessile; branchlets minutely woolly (SW W.A.)
Heads clearly pedunculate (peduncles 4–30 mm long)
Phyllodes quadrangular, deeply grooved between the 4 prominent nerves; branchlets glabrous; stipules c. 1 mm long; heads 15–30-flowered; pods ±woody (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Bracteoles acuminate by a distinct, fine, tip (eastern Aust., except A. auronitens)
Bracteoles obtuse or absent; sepals free
Pods ±woody; funicle arillate; stipules 2–4 mm long, rigid and ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent); phyllodes 1–4 mm wide, normally flat (SW W.A.)
Pods not woody; funicle exarillate; stipules 0.5–2 mm long, scarious or setaceous, sometimes deciduous; phyllodes 0.5–1.5 mm wide (not SW W.A.)
Heads cream or pale lemon yellow; phyllodes 20 mm or more long, often erect (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads golden; phyllodes 5–25 mm long, ±patent
Bracteoles short-acuminate, not or scarcely exserted beyond flowers in buds; peduncles slender (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Bracteoles long-acuminate, exserted beyond flowers in bud; peduncles stout (N.S.W.)
Heads 14–23-flowered; sepals united; phyllodes 6–20 mm long; stipules caducous (SW W.A.)
Heads more than 30-flowered; sepals free; stipules persistent, 1–3 mm long
Phyllodes 3–25 mm long; branchlets lenticellular; stipules to 1.5 mm long, enveloped in resin (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 20 mm or more long; branchlets not lenticellular; stipules 1.5–3 mm long, not enveloped in resin (SW W.A.)
Heads obloid; bracteoles conspicuously overtopping flowers in mature buds; phyllode nerves somewhat obscured by surface wrinkling
Heads globular; bracteoles not as above
Phyllodes 6- or 7-nerved in all
Phyllodes 5-nerved in all
Branchlets densely hairy; phyllodes patent to reflexed
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes ascending to erect
Peduncles 2–7 mm long; phyllodes with protracted, very pungent points
Peduncles 8–15 mm long; phyllodes abruptly contracted to short, subpungent points
Petals striate; sepals c. 1/2-united; pods ±terete, red-brown, striate
Petals not striate (1-nerved or nerveless); pods not as above
Sepals c. 2/3-united; phyllodes strongly deflexed AND sessile
Sepals free or absent; phyllodes patent to erect OR if deflexed then clearly pulvinate
Phyllodes with a short yet distinct, terete pulvinus; heads ±sessile; branchlets minutely woolly at least when young
Phyllodes sessile OR if not then peduncles > 3 mm long
Phyllodes erect, 20–45 mm long, glaucous to subglaucous
Phyllodes ±patent, 6–25 mm long, green or subglaucous
Sepals absent; peduncles 2 mm long; phyllodes 5-nerved for their entire length
Sepals present; peduncles 3–13 mm long; phyllodes 5-nerved but adaxial 2 coalescing at gland 2–8 mm above base
Phyllodes 8–40 cm long, quadrangular in section; branchlets glabrous; pods 3–5 cm wide (arid zone, Qld, N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Flowers 3- or 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Heads 2–6-flowered; peduncles 1.5–2 mm long (Tas.)
Heads 10–25-flowered; peduncles 5–30 mm long
Phyllodes sessile, quadrangular (nerve obvious at apex of each angle), sharply pungent; sepals united (S.A., N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes pulvinate, terete to flat, with numerous, fine, indistinct nerves, scarcely pungent; sepals free (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences racemose, with raceme axis 1–15 mm long and enclosed when young by brown bracts, their scars observable (×10 mag.) at base of raceme axis after bracts have fallen
Inflorescences simple OR if racemose then raceme axis less then 1 mm long
Racemes 3–7-headed; branchlets angled at extremities by fine yellow ribs; petals glabrous; funicle exarillate (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Racemes 1- or 2-headed; branchlets ash grey and scarcely ribbed; petals with sparse brown to black appressed hairs; funicle arillate (SW W.A.)
Branchlets densely hairy at least towards their apices (the hairs sometimes immersed in resin); sepals united; pods 7–12 mm wide; phyllodes thick and rigid
Branchlets glabrous OR if not (rare) then other characters not combined as above; pods 2–8 mm wide
Phyllodes quadrangular, 3–7.5 cm long (S.A., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes terete, 6–14 cm long (W.A.)
Heads obloid; bracteoles conspicuously overtopping flowers in mature buds; phyllodes obscurely 7-nerved (SW W.A.)
Heads globular; bracteoles not as above
Stipules persistent, 1.5–3 mm long; peduncles 12–30 mm long; heads 36–53-flowered (SW W.A.)
Stipules caduous or inconspicuous (< 1.5 mm long); peduncles 2–12 mm long; heads 10–30-flowered
Phyllodes 4-nerved, slender, erect (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 5- or 7-nerved (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 5-nerved
Phyllodes 7-nerved
Phyllodes 8-nerved
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved
Phyllodes 6–14.5 cm long (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 6 cm long
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes prominently nerved
Branchlets hairy (indumentum often immersed in resin); phyllodes obscurely nerved
Branchlets densely hairy (hairs straight, patent to reflexed but not appressed); phyllodes patent to reflexed, strongly nerved (SW W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous or appressed-hairy
Phyllodes sessile OR if pulvinate then heads clearly obloid; pods not woody
Phyllodes pulvinate (pulvinus distinct yet short, c. 1 mm long); heads globular, 9–18-flowered; pods ±woody (SW W.A.)
Stipules persistent, sometimes ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent); heads globular (SW W.A.)
Stipules caducous, not spinose; heads globular or obloid
Phyllodes straight, patent to strongly reflexed, 2–3 (–5) cm long
Phyllodes strongly recurved, 10–20 mm long
Heads subglobular, 2 in each axil; aril orange or yellow (W.A., S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads clearly obloid, 1 in each axil; seed aril cream (W.A.)
Phyllodes perfectly terete, (7–) 10–25 (–30) mm long; stipules persistent, black; branchlets hairy (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles 0–2 mm long
Peduncles some or all > 2 mm long
Heads pale yellow, 5–15-flowered; pods 6–10 mm wide; aril large and yellow-orange (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads golden; pods 2.5–4.5 mm wide; aril small and whitish (W.A.)
Heads 30–45-flowered; phyllodes without evident stomata; sepals 1/4–2/3-united
Heads 11–25-flowered; phyllodes with rows of stomata evident between nerves
Sepals free; pods glabrous
Sepals 1/2–3/4-united; pods tomentulose
Phyllodes ±sessile, glabrous, not more than 5 cm long
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes and branchlets asperulate; pods plicate (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes and branchlets smooth
Phyllode nerves ±obscure, not raised; pods arcuate to coiled; aril large, yellow or orange (W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode nerves prominent, raised when dry; pods undulate; aril small and white (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with rows of stomata evident between nerves; branchlets densely hairy with indumentum extending to pulvinus (W.A.)
Phyllodes without evident stomata; nerves often indistinct
Phyllodes 2–4 cm long, rather abruptly contracted to pungent tip
Phyllodes 3–7 cm long, gradually tapered to long, spinose tip
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes glabrous, very brittle and snapping easily and cleanly; flowers 4-merous (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes protracted into long, subulate, straight, very sharply pungent points (W.A.)
Phyllode tips not as above
Peduncles 0.5–3 mm long
Peduncles 6–15 mm long
Flowers 4-merous (SW W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Bipinnate leaves persisting with phyllodes on mature plants (SW W.A.)
Bipinnate leaves absent from mature plants
Heads 4–8-flowered, yellow to dark yellow (N.S.W.)
Heads 12–19-flowered, cream to golden (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes very few and scattered AND/OR branchlets ending in spinose or hard rigid points
Phyllodes numerous AND branchlets not as above
Petals striate (observe at ×10 mag.) (SW W.A.)
Petals nerveless or 1-nerved
Phyllodes 1–11 cm long; stems ±straight; flowers 4-merous; peduncles 5–15 mm long
Phyllodes < 1 cm long; stems tortuous; flowers 5-merous; peduncles 3 mm long
Phyllodes > 4 cm long (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 4 cm long
Phyllodes terete, thick
Phyllodes not as above (temperate W.A.)
Peduncles hairy; small shrub 0.4–0.7 m high
Peduncles glabrous; tall shrub to 3 m high
Phyllodes fasciculate, 7–13 × 0.5–1.5 mm; stipules ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent) (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Inflorescences racemose, with racemes 1–6 cm long and enclosed when young by conspicuous brown bracts; phyllodes rarely present; branchlets not spinose (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences simple or if racemose then < 10 mm long and not enclosed by bracts; branchlets coarsely to sharply spinose
Branchlets finely striate, ash grey, ascending to erect, rather straight and sparingly divided; heads 28–35-flowered; pods submoniliform, to 15 cm long (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets obviously striate-ribbed (×10 mag.); phyllodes 5–20 (–40) mm long; shrubs normally erect; pods straight to curved
Branchlets obscurely ribbed to ribless; phyllodes 3–11 mm long; shrubs often prostrate
Branchlets green; sepals free (arid W.A., N.T.)
Branchlets pruinose; sepals united (SW W.A.)
Sepals free; pods not coiled; phyllodes mostly reflexed (SW W.A.)
Sepals united; pods twisted to somewhat tightly and irregularly coiled; phyllodes mostly patent to erect
Heads 15–30-flowered; erect shrubs (W.A., S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads 6–7-flowered; prostrate shrubs (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences all or mostly racemose with raceme axes 3 mm or more long
Inflorescences simple on axillary peduncles (rarely interspersed with a few racemes) OR if all racemose then raceme axes < 3 mm long
Phyllodes 0–4-nerved
Phyllodes 5-nerved or more
Resinous and often viscid shrub; phyllodes ±terete, 2–5 (–9) cm long, innocuous with normally obliquely truncate apices, and nerves impressed and often obscure
Characters not combined as above
Gland at base of phyllode 0–2 mm above pulvinus; pods 2.5–3 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Gland absent from base of phyllode; pods 5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Sepals clearly united for 1/4 or more their length
Phyllodes 9–15 (–28) cm long, curved to sinuous, sessile, not easily separated from branchlets (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Racemes enclosed when young by brown bracts, their scars observable (×10 mag.) at base of raceme axes after bracts have fallen
Racemes not enclosed by bracts, and ebracteate at base of axes
Phyllodes terete, ±nerveless, sessile, innocuous (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Racemes 3–7-headed; branchlets angled at extremities by fine yellow ribs; petals glabrous; funicle exarillate (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Racemes 1- or 2-headed; branchlets ash grey and scarcely ribbed; petals with sparse brown to black appressed hairs; funicle arillate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes short-acuminate with delicate, curved, eglandular points; pods 3–6 mm wide, coriaceous to crustaceous; funicle arillate, 1/2 or more encircling seed (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode apices not as above; pods 7–11 mm wide, papery; funicle exarillate
Peduncles 4–7 mm long; phyllodes with the mucro curved over gland (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Peduncles 10–20 mm long; phyllodes with a straight, erect mucro, apical gland normally absent (W.A.)
Heads 4–20-flowered, sometimes cream-coloured; plants sometimes < 1 m high
Heads more than 20-flowered, never cream-coloured; plants 2–8 m high
Phyllodes 10–55 × 0.4–1 mm, with nerves very obscure or absent; heads 4–12-flowered; peduncles 2–5 mm (N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads creamy yellow, 6–12-flowered; pods 7–13 mm wide
Heads yellow to dark yellow, 4–8-flowered; pods 4–7 mm wide
Bracteoles peltate, with circular laminae, and evident between flowers in mature buds; funicle encircling seed (N.S.W.)
Bracteoles not as above; funicle not encircling seed (W.A.)
Rush-like or prostrate plants < 1 m high
Erect shrubs or trees > 1 m high
Branchlets puberulous; peduncles 10–20 mm long; plants prostrate
Branchlets glabrous; peduncles 5–10 mm long; plants rush-like with erect or sprawling stems
Receptacle as wide or wider than peduncles; heads golden; pods 10–20 mm wide, woody
Receptacle obviously narrower than peduncle; heads cream; pods 4–5 mm wide, thinly coriaceous
Phyllodes terete, thick
Phyllodes not as above
Racemes enclosed when young by imbricate bracts (bract scars persistent at base of raceme axes), commonly growing out during anthesis; aril not encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Racemes not enclosed by bracts; aril 1/2 or more encircling seed
Phyllodes 18–35 (–69) cm long; heads 50–70-flowered (S.A.)
Phyllodes < 18 cm long AND/OR heads less then 50-flowered
Peduncles glabrous (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles appressed-puberulous (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 5 cm long, prominently 5-nerved, glabrous (along with branchlets and peduncles) (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 5 cm long
Peduncles and branchlets glabrous; phyllodes glabrous, 5- or 8-nerved
Peduncles and (at least when young) the branchlets and phyllodes appressed-hairy; phyllodes finely striate with more than 8 nerves (arid zone)
Phyllodes ±pentagonal, 5-nerved, green, commonly filiform and resembling the sometimes narrowly winged branchlets (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes terete, obscurely 8-nerved, ±glaucous, thick and rigid (arid zone: W.A., S.A.)
Sepals united; petals glabrous or white appressed-puberulous; phyllodes 12–22 cm long; bark corky; pods 7–12 mm wide; aril large and orange (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Sepals free; petals golden appressed-puberulous; phyllodes 8–14.5 cm long; bark not corky; pods 5–5.5 mm wide; seed not seen (W.A.)
Phyllodes in clusters of 2–6 at mature nodes (often single on young shoots)
Phyllodes borne singly at nodes (occasionally interspersed with a few in clusters)
Stipules ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent); sepals free or almost so; pods 7–8 mm wide, crustaceous, with seeds longitudinally arranged (SW W.A.)
Stipules caducous or innocuous; calyx normally united; pods 3–6 mm wide, with seeds obliquely arranged (northern W.A.
Heads obloid to short cylindrical; phyllodes 4–25 mm long (N.T.)
Heads globular
Youngest branchlets terete and obscurely ribbed; phyllodes 20–30 mm long; bracteoles short-acute (W.A.)
Youngest branchlets angled by prominent ribs; phyllodes normally < 20 mm long
Bracteoles short-acute to apiculate; phyllodes subterete to flat, mostly 4–14 × 0.5–0.8 mm (N.T.)
Bracteoles long-acuminate; phyllodes terete to subterete, 7–18 mm long, very slender (0.3–0.4 mm diam.) (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllode nerves forming an obvious, regular net-like reticulum (SW W.A.)
Phyllode nerves not forming a reticulum (nerves all parallel to long axis of phyllode or absent)
Pods woody; peduncles 15–40 mm long, glabrous; heads 30–45-flowered; sepals united; phyllodes curved upwards from near base (NW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above (not NW W.A.)
Phyllodes not more than 2 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 2 cm long
Phyllodes with 0–5 longitudinal nerves (nerves sometimes obscured by indumentum or surface wrinkling, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes with 6 or more longitudinal nerves (nerves sometimes obscured by indumentum or surface wrinkling, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Sepals clearly united for 1/4 or more their length
Branchlets hairy to some degree (at least when young) (SW W.A.)
Branchlets completely glabrous
Stipules persistent, setaceous, 1.5–3 mm long; phyllodes 5–13 mm long, glabrous, ±nerveless, crowded
Stipules caducous (sometimes obvious on new shoots) OR if not then phyllodes hairy
Phyllodes nerveless, fleshy, commonly finely longitudinally wrinkled when dry, slightly horizontally flattened with gland on upper surface of lamina; stipules (evident on new shoots) connate, c. 2 mm long
Phyllodes finely 4- or 5-nerved, other characters not as above
Phyllodes green, loosely villous at least when young, linear to narrowly oblong, 5–25 mm long; branchlets loosely villous to appressed-pilose with ±long, curved to subcrisped hairs
Phyllodes normally glaucous and glabrous; other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 5-nerved; pods ±shallowly curved; branchlet hairs commonly appressed
Phyllodes 4-nerved; pods strongly curved to coiled; branchlet hairs commonly patent
Phyllode nerves not or scarcely raised; heads 20–32-flowered; seeds mottled
Phyllode nerves prominently raised; heads 16–21-flowered; seeds not mottled
Plants resinous
Plants not resinous
Stipules persistent, 2.5–4.5 mm long; heads 65–75-flowered; peduncles 20–30 mm long; pods asperulate, 7–11 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Stipules caducous; heads 20–30-flowered; peduncles 5–15 mm long; pods smooth, c. 4 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes fleshy, coarsely wrinkled when dry, pale green, very obscurely nerved, 10–45 mm long; inflorescences mostly simple; heads 18–20-flowered (S.A.)
Characters not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes obviously 5-nerved
Phyllodes nerveless or obscurely 3-nerved
Heads 20–35-flowered; stipules (evident on new shoots) connate, c. 2 mm long; peduncles axillary (not in racemes), ebracteate at base; phyllodes glaucous
Heads 6–20-flowered; stipules not as above; bract (small or large) present at base of peduncles
Peduncles 6–15 mm long, twinned on a short, but distinct raceme axis 0.5–2 mm long; phyllodes green, 8–17 mm long
Peduncles axillary or on a rudimentary raceme not more than 0.5 mm long; phyllodes commonly glaucous
Basal peduncular bract ovate, insignificant, c. 0.5 mm long; heads 6–8-flowered; phyllodes 7–12 mm long
Basal peduncular bract rostriform, 1.5–2.5 mm long
Heads 13–15-flowered; phyllodes 8–15 mm long, apiculate
Heads 7–10-flowered; phyllodes 4–10 mm long, obtuse
Branchlets pubescent; phyllodes 4–8 mm long, uncinate to subuncinate with a distinct, slender mucro; stipules setaceous to linear-triangular, 1–2 mm long (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Inflorescences very short racemes OR if simple then peduncles with an often small, persistent basal bract
Inflorescences simple, peduncles ebracteate at base
Phyllodes ±trigonous in section (when dry) with midrib on lower surface prominently raised; inflorescences simple; peduncles glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes terete to subterete, nerves normally not raised; inflorescences normally very short, 1- or 2-headed racemes; peduncles often yellow-hairy
Peduncles with dense, spreading hairs; bracteoles acuminate; pods 4–5 mm wide, pilose (SW W.A.)
Peduncles with sparse or dense, appressed hairs; bracteoles not acuminate; pods 2–3 mm wide
Peduncles densely hairy; branchlets commonly with prominent yellow ribs at extremities (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles ±sparsely hairy; branchlets not obviously ribbed (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes obtuse, glaucous at least when young (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes acute to acuminate or distinctly and excentrically mucronulate, not glaucous
Phyllodes 1.5 mm or more long, sessile; branchlets coated with a thick layer of resin (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes and branchlets not as above (not SW W.A.)
Peduncles densely puberulous; phyllodes 10–15 mm long, finely puberulous, recurved at apices (N.S.W.)
Peduncles glabrous to subglabrous OR if densely puberulous then phyllodes not as above
Peduncles 2–3 mm long; phyllodes tuberculate; branchlets puberulous (N.S.W.)
Peduncles 5–11 mm long
Phyllodes and peduncles asperulous-tuberculate by minute glandular hairs; pods with prominent, raised excrescences (Qld)
Phyllodes, peduncles and pods not as above
Pods 7–15 mm wide; phyllodes 2.5–12 mm long, with mucro or the whole apex frequently slightly up-turned (Qld, N.S.W.)
Pods 3–4 mm wide; phyllodes 10 mm or more long, recurved-uncinate or the distinct mucro clearly abaxially excentric
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes terete to subterete, very slender, rather widely spreading (Qld)
Branchlets sparsely to moderately hairy; phyllodes subterete to ±triquetrous with lower margin broader than upper, if terete then clearly erect (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads obloid; bracteoles conspicuously overtopping flowers in mature buds; phyllodes ±glaucous (W.A.)
Heads globular
Phyllodes ±fleshy, rounded-obtuse, 12–20 × 1–2 mm, glabrous; sepals united; heads 10–17-flowered, with buds apiculate to subacute; peduncles 5–13 mm long, glabrous; pods thickly crustaceous (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 6–8-nerved
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved
Phyllodes 15 mm or more long, with 6, brownish, resinous nerves, and apex obliquely rounded-truncate with an excentric blunt point; peduncles glabrous (S.A.)
Phyllode and peduncle characters not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Shrubs viscid; peduncles often golden-hairy; phyllodes commonly curved upwards; nerves obscure and not raised
Shrubs not viscid; peduncles glabrous or white-hairy; phyllode nerves commonly raised
Stipules persistent; phyllode nerves strongly raised (when dry)
Stipules caducous; phyllode nerves raised or not
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes 10–20 mm long, glabrous
Branchlets densely hairy; phyllodes 3–12 mm long, normally hairy on nerves
Phyllodes 6- or 7-nerved; heads 10–15-flowered
Phyllodes 8-nerved, ±gradually narrowed to delicate, curved, acute to short-acuminate tips; heads 16–30-flowered
Phyllodes fleshy, coarsely wrinkled when dry, with nerves very obscure; peduncles mostly 4–10 mm long (S.A.)
Phyllodes not fleshy, striate by fine nerves (W.A.)
Heads sessile; phyllodes normally thick and shallowly to strongly curved
Heads pedunculate; phyllodes slender and commonly straight
Branchlets resinous; pods undulate, not constricted between seeds; seeds arillate
Branchlets not resinous; pods not undulate, breaking readily at narrow constrictions between seeds; seeds exarillate
Flowers 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous (occasionally a few 4-merous flowers intermixed, or, in A. squamata, petals absent)
Heads pedunculate (peduncles 3–15 mm long)
Heads sessile
Shrubs viscid; peduncles 8–15 mm long; phyllodes innocuous, with ±uncinate tips (S.A.)
Shrubs not viscid; peduncles 3–8 mm long; phyllodes innocuous or pungent
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes finely striate, very brittle and snapping easily and cleanly, with tips often straight and ±pungent (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes quadrangular with a narrow nerve at apex of each angle (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes terete to subterete OR if quadrangular then with a broad nerve at apex of each angle (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 2–7 cm long, deeply furrowed between nerves; bracteoles acuminate, dark brown to blackish
Phyllode and bracteole characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 8-nerved, rhombic-compressed
Phyllodes 4-nerved, terete
Phyllodes striate by more than 8 fine nerves; upper branchlets glabrous, ±ribless, light grey
Phyllodes with 4 or 8 broad nerves; upper branchlets hoary between fine, resinous ribs, normally red-brown
Phyllodes terete, with 8 uniformly wide nerves
Phyllodes ±quadrangular with the nerve at each angle broader and/or slightly raised above those on the intervening faces
Phyllodes 6–14 cm long, thick, clearly curved
Phyllodes 2.5–6 cm long
Phyllodes clearly incurved (sometimes into a circle)
Phyllodes straight to very shallowly incurved, slender
Branchlets pendulous and prominently flexuose; heads obloid to short cylindrical
Branchlets ascending to erect, straight to very shallowly flexuose
Phyllodes 8–25 cm long; heads obloid
Phyllodes 2.5–10 cm long; heads globular
Phyllodes with 0–5 longitudinal nerves (nerves sometimes obscured by indumentum or surface wrinkling, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes with 6 or more longitudinal nerves (nerves sometimes obscured by indumentum or surface wrinkling, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes not more than 5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long
Sepals free or almost free
Sepals united for 1/4 or more their length
Inflorescences 1- or 2-headed racemes, enclosed when young by conspicuous, brown bracts, their scars observable at base of raceme axis (×10 mag.) after bracts have fallen; petals with sparse brown to black hairs (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences simple OR if racemose then not enclosed by conspicuous bracts; petals glabrous or white-hairy
Branchlets hairy to some degree (at least when young) (SW W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous
Phyllodes 5-nerved
Phyllodes 4-nerved or nerveless
Branchlets densely hairy; inflorescences simple
Branchlets sparsely hairy; inflorescences comprising minute racemes
Branchlets ash grey, ±ribless, with minute, closely appressed, straight hairs; phyllodes glabrous except pulvinus appressed-puberulous abaxially and slightly but discernibly flared at base
Branchlets and phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes nerveless, fleshy, wrinkled when dry; stipules (evident on new shoots) connate, c. 2 mm long
Phyllodes 4-nerved; stipules not as above
Phyllode nerves not or scarcely raised; heads 20–32-flowered; seeds mottled
Phyllode nerves prominently raised; heads 16–21-flowered; seeds not mottled
Plants resinous (especially obvious on young growth)
Plants not obviously resinous
Stipules persistent, 2.5–4.5 mm long; phyllodes crowded, ±straight, obliquely mucronulate; heads 65–75-flowered; pods asperulate, 7–11 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Stipules caducous or c. 0.5 mm long; phyllodes commonly incurved to sigmoid and/or uncinate; heads 20–40-flowered; pods smooth, 4–5 mm wide
Phyllodes 5–20 mm long, 2-nerved (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes 20–40 mm long, 4-nerved
Gland at base of phyllode 0–2 mm above pulvinus; pods 2.5–3 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Gland absent from base of phyllode; pods 5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 5-nerved (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 4-nerved or nerveless
Heads cream to pale yellow; pulvinus absent or very reduced
Heads golden; pulvinus distinct
Phyllodes thick and fleshy, coarsely wrinkled when dry; pulvinus glabrous; inflorescences mostly simple; heads 18–20-flowered (S.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes abruptly narrowed to a short mucro, very slender; pulvinus 1.5–2 mm long, terete, glabrous; heads 10–15-flowered (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes gradually narrowed to rather delicate, acute to short-acuminate, curved to uncinate points; heads normally more than 15-flowered
Pulvinus glabrous; inflorescences usually short racemes; funicle 1/2 or more encircling seed (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pulvinus appressed-puberulous abaxially; inflorescences simple; funicle not encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Prostrate shrubs; branchlets with short, ±spreading hairs; peduncles 10–20 mm long, glabrous (SW W.A.)
Erect shrubs; other characters not combined as above
Heads obloid; peduncles 7–11 mm long, densely white-hairy; young growth densely white-hairy (SW W.A.)
Heads globular; other characters not as above
Heads 6–11-flowered (SW W.A.)
Heads more than 11-flowered
Peduncles 7–11 mm long; inflorescences short racemes enclosed when young by conspicuous, brown, imbricate bracts
Peduncles 2–3 mm long; racemes (when present) not enclosed by conspicuous bracts
Heads sessile; phyllodes compressed-rhombic with a wide, prominent nerve at apex of each angle (SW W.A.)
Heads pedunculate; phyllodes not as above
Peduncles 8–12 mm long, glabrous; phyllodes terete, incurved; resinous, viscid shrub (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Characters not combined as above (not arid zone)
Inflorescences simple AND peduncles ebracteate at base
Inflorescences mostly short but discernible, 1- or 2-headed racemes; peduncles with a single, persistent small bract at base, sparsely to densely white or golden appressed-puberulous
Pods coriaceous-crustaceous to subwoody; funicle 1/2–3/4 encircling seed; peduncles and branchlets glabrous; phyllodes commonly ±uncinate (S.A.)
Pods firmly chartaceous to thinly coriaceous; funicle not encircling seed; peduncles and branchlets hairy or glabrous; phyllodes not uncinate (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles 5–10 mm long; phyllodes (dry) ±triquetrous in section with a discrete medial groove and a slightly broadened lower margin
Peduncles 2–6 mm long; phyllodes without medial groove, slightly raised along midline, with lower margin not broader than upper
Peduncles densely hairy; branchlets commonly with prominent yellow ribs at extremities (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles ±sparsely hairy; branchlets not obviously ribbed (SW W.A.)
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Sepals clearly united for 1/4 or more their length
Shrubs, resinous and viscid; phyllodes obscurely nerved, ±terete, obliquely truncate at excentrically mucronulate apices (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Shrubs or trees, not resinous and viscid; phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes to 7 cm long, ±terete with obscure nerves; branchlets ash grey (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 7 cm long
Inflorescences 1- or 2-headed racemes enclosed when young by conspicuous brown bracts, their scars observable at base of raceme axis (×10 mag.) after bracts have fallen; pulvinus glabrous
Inflorescences simple; pulvinus appressed-puberulous abaxially
Phyllodes pentagonal by 5 prominent nerves (grooved in between when dry), ±straight, rigid and ascending to erect (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes quadrangular to terete with 4, often obscure nerves
Phyllodes epulvinate or pulvinus smooth and very obscure
Phyllodes with a short yet distinct, transversely wrinkled pulvinus; funicle not or scarcely expanded into an aril
Pods 4 mm wide; funicle clearly arillate; shrubs 2–3 m high; phyllodes curved to sinuous, invested (especially when young) with ±circular, dark brown, sessile resin-papillae (SW W.A.)
Pods 30–50 mm wide; funicle exarillate; trees to c. 15 m high; phyllodes not as above (arid zone: Qld, N.T.)
Phyllodes not puncticulate; bracteoles not exserted beyond flowers in buds; heads normally 1 or 2 in each axil; seeds mottled (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes obviously puncticulate (×10 mag.); bracteoles exserted beyond flowers in buds; heads 2–6 in each axil; seeds not mottled
Pods 8–18 mm wide; phyllodes with obscure gland normally 1–4 mm above pulvinus (W.A., N.T.)
Pods 3.5–5 mm wide; phyllodes with obscure gland 3–15 mm above pulvinus (N.T.
Peduncles hairy (SW W.A.)
Peduncles glabrous
Heads obloid; peduncles densely tomentose with conspicuous, subcrisped hairs
Heads globular; peduncles minutely hirsutellous with short straight hairs
Branchlets prominently flexuose and pendulous; phyllodes 9–15 cm long, with 4 broad nerves separated by deep 4 deep furrows (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes ±filiform, thin and flexible, 6–24 cm long, quadrangular to ±triquetrous in section and shallowly furrowed between nerves when dry
Phyllodes terete, often thick and rigid, nerveless or rather obscurely 4-nerved (nerves not raised or with furrows in between)
Phyllodes 5-nerved; pods 3–5 mm wide; shrubs not resinous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 4-nerved; pods 5–6 mm wide; shrubs somewhat resinous (Qld)
Shrub viscid; phyllodes rather slender, 2–9 cm long, with apices obliquely truncate with a gland at base of the excentric mucro (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Shrub not viscid; phyllodes normally thick and often resembling the branchlets, with apices not as above (W.A.)
Heads 24–27-flowered; phyllodes 5–14 cm long; racemes subtended by minute, caducous bracts
Heads 6–11-flowered; phyllodes 2–7 cm long; racemes enclosed when young by conspicuous, imbricate bracts; petals absent
Heads ±sessile
Heads pedunculate (peduncles 2 mm or more long)
Heads pale yellow, 5–15-flowered; pods 6–10 mm wide; aril large and yellow-orange (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads golden, often more than 15-flowered; pods 1.5–4 mm wide; aril small and whitish
Bark 'Minni Ritchi' or red and shaggy
Bark not as above (W.A.)
Phyllodes 8-nerved, the nerves separated by deep furrows (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved OR if 8-nerved then nerves not separated by deep furrows, 6–18 cm long
Phyllodes 3.5–6 cm long, ±rigid; pods strongly undulate
Phyllodes 6–16 cm long, thin and flexible; pods not undulate
Phyllodes subterete to flat; bark 'Minni Ritchi'; flowers in obloid heads 5–7 mm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes terete; bark stringy and shaggy; flowers in obloid heads or cylindrical spikes 8–20 mm long (SW W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous; heads obloid; phyllode nerves often brown-resinous
Branchlets hairy (indumentum sometimes closely appressed, observe at ×10 mag.); heads globular or obloid; phyllode nerves not brown-resinous
Phyllodes > 6 cm long
Phyllodes not more than 6 cm long
Pods flat, undulate; branchlets conspicuously hairy (hairs often crisped and covering the scarcely raised ribs)
Pods terete, not undulate; branchlets rather obscurely hairy (sericeous by closely appressed, straight hairs confined to between the normally raised ribs)
Phyllodes compressed-rhombic with a wide, prominent nerve at apex of each angle
Phyllodes terete to subterete, nerves of uniform prominence
Phyllodes rounded-obtuse, 15–25 mm long, shallowly to strongly incurved
Phyllodes acute to distinctly mucronate, 20–60 mm long, straight
Phyllodes c. 16-nerved, the apices straight to slightly curved and sharply to coarsely pungent
Phyllode characters not combined as above (normally c. 10-nerved and having innocuous, commonly reflexed-uncinate apices)
Phyllodes not more than 5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long
Phyllodes quadrangular-rhombic in section (W.A.)
Phyllodes terete to subterete
Phyllodes striate by numerous (> 8), fine, yellowish nerves, with the narrow internerve spaces clearly dark-coloured and marked with rows of evident stomata; branchlets often appressed-puberulous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes some or all > 4 cm long, gradually narrowed at apices into delicate, curved tips
Phyllodes 2–4 cm long, abruptly narrowed at apices into short, straight or slightly curved tips
Heads clearly obloid; phyllodes without evident stomata (SW W.A.)
Heads globular OR if slightly obloid then phyllodes with stomata evident (×10 mag.)
Phyllodes 1.5–4 cm long, 7-nerved (nerves not resinous), apices straight with a ±pungent mucro
Phyllodes 4 cm or more long, 8-nerved (nerves often brown resinous), apices recurved to subuncinate
Phyllodes papillose by numerous, prominently raised stomata on strongly raised inter-nerve spaces, with nerves impressed at base of distinct longitudinal furrows; branchlets glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllode and branchlet characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 1–4.5 cm long, nerves 8 or more, ±obscure; peduncles 2–5 mm long; sepals free; branchlets glabrous or sparsely uncinate-puberulous, ±resinous and tuberculate (W.A., S.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with 5–8 distant nerves (i.e. inter-nerve spaces much wider than width of nerve)
Phyllodes nerveless or striate by numerous (> 8) fine close nerves
Branchlets and phyllodes resinous and commonly viscid; sepals 1/2-united to free; phyllode nerves often brownish and impressed
Branchlets and phyllodes not resinous; sepals free; phyllode nerves often raised and longitudinally furrowed in between (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes rather distinctly 6-nerved; peduncles glabrous; inflorescences simple (S.A.)
Phyllodes obscurely 5- or 7-nerved; peduncles ±sparsely hairy; inflorescences often short racemes (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 3.5 cm long or more, with apex drawn out in a delicate, curved, long-acuminate (mostly 2–6 mm), normally persistently hairy tip; pulvinus 1.5–3 mm long and terete
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Peduncles 7–15 mm long, with a prominent and persistent basal bract
Peduncles 2–6 mm long, with base ebracteate at anthesis
Phyllodes 8-nerved; stipules persistent
Phyllodes 6- or 7-nerved; stipules caducous
Phyllodes 1–3.5 cm long; pulvinus slender, terete, transversely wrinkled and 1–2 mm long
Phyllodes commonly > 3.5 cm long, the pulvinus ±smooth and slightly flared at base
Phyllodes straight to shallowly curved, ascending to erect, often shallowly and irregularly furrowed between the obscure nerves
Phyllodes often strongly curved to sigmoid and rather widely spreading, deeply and uniformly longitudinally furrowed between the nerves
Branchlets densely and obviously hairy; phyllodes finely striate with stomata evident between nerves; peduncles commonly with scattered reddish resin-hairs (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes ±nerveless, 2–6 cm long, smooth, gradually narrowed into fine, curved, acute to short-acuminate tips; plants not resinous (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes 1–3.5 cm long; heads 8–17-flowered (SW W.A.)
Peduncles hairy OR if glabrous (rare) then other characters not combined as above (phyllodes 3 cm long or more)
Branchlets resinous; pods undulate, not constricted between the arillate seeds
Branchlets not resinous; pods not undulate, breaking readily at narrow constrictions between the exarillate seeds
Sepals free; phyllodes shallowly curved to sigmoid; pulvinus smooth, flared at base (SW W.A.)
Sepals mostly united; phyllodes straight to shallowly curved
Calyx less than 1/2 length of corolla; heads subdensely flowered, not obviously resinous (buds easily dissected from heads) (W.A.)
Calyx 1/2 or more length of corolla; heads densely flowered and rather resinous (buds not easily dissected from heads)
Peduncles glabrous or sparsely hairy; phyllodes glabrous (W.A.)
Peduncles densely hairy; phyllodes appressed-puberulous between nerves (S.A.)
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Sepals clearly united for 1/2 their length or more
Inflorescences comprising 1–6-headed racemes on minute but clearly discernible axes (observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Inflorescences simple (i.e. heads on axillary peduncles)
Heads 35–40-flowered; petals and sepals golden appressed-puberulous; pods 5–5.5 mm wide, ±moniliform (NW W.A.)
Heads 20–28-flowered; other characters not combined as above
Pods ±crustose, moniliform, 7–10 mm wide; phyllodes often curved to sinuous, filiform, terete to subterete, 8–18 mm long (W.A.)
Pods chartaceous; phyllodes ±straight, subterete to flat, 4–12 cm long, acuminate with fine, delicately curved tips
Pods submoniliform, not reticulate, 2–5 mm wide (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods flat, reticulate, 4–10 mm wide (W.A., S.A.)
Phyllodes quadrangular-rhombic in section, 8–22 cm long; heads obloid, with flowers densely arranged (W.A.)
Phyllodes terete to subterete
Phyllodes 8-nerved, commonly deeply longitudinally furrowed between the raised nerves
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved, with nerves fine, plane or slightly raised and not deeply furrowed in between
Heads obloid; phyllode nerves not raised, often brown resinous (SW W.A.)
Heads globular; phyllode nerves normally raised, not brown resinous
Phyllodes 3.5–7 cm long, ±irregularly curved to sigmoid, with a short, glabrous, curved-mucronate to subuncinate tip (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 7 cm long and/or the apex drawn out in a delicate, curved, long-acuminate, normally hairy tip
Branchlets appressed-puberulous; peduncles 10–15 mm long; phyllodes 11–14 cm long (NW S.A.)
Branchlets glabrous (ignore the often golden appressed-puberulous new growth); peduncles 4–10 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes terete, 6–16.5 cm long, deeply longitudinally furrowed between the raised nerves; heads 40–87-flowered
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes subterete to flat, (4.5–) 7–10 (–13) cm long; seeds mottled
Phyllodes terete to subterete, 3.5–7 (–8) cm long; seeds not mottled
Branchlets yellow-ribbed, sericeous between ribs; phyllodes multi-striate by yellowish nerves (some appearing more prominent than others); pods 2–3 mm wide (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above (W.A., S.A.)
Phyllode tips hairy (±plumose or appressed-puberulous) (W.A.)
Phyllode tips glabrous
Phyllode nerves yellow, dark-coloured in inter-nerve spaces and with evident stomata (at ×10 mag.) (W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Branchlets densely and obviously hairy (normally tomentulose with curved or crisped hairs); phyllodes with stomata evident between nerves; peduncles commonly with scattered reddish resin-hairs (W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous or sericeous (with straight, often sparse, closely appressed hairs); other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 3–7.5 cm long, curved (often strongly so) to shallowly sigmoid; pulvinus smooth and flared at base; branchlets with dense, straight, appressed hairs at least at apices (W.A., rare)
Characters not combined as above (phyllodes often > 7.5 cm long and/or straight; pulvinus normally transversely wrinkled; branchlets often glabrous)
Branchlets and phyllodes resinous and aromatic (smelling of Friars Balsam, especially when crushed); pods 4 mm diam., ±woody, glabrous, resinous (W.A.)
Branchlets and phyllodes not resinous and aromatic; pods not as above
Phyllodes 2–6 cm long, very obscurely nerved (often appearing ±nerveless), gradually narrowed into delicate, curved, acute to short-acuminate tips (W.A.)
Phyllodes some or all > 6 cm long, striate by fine but evident nerves (×10 mag.)
Pods undulate, 8–15 mm wide, villous with long, spreading, golden hairs (aging to white) (W.A.)
Pods not as above (W.A., S.A.)
Branchlets prominently flexuose, pendulous; phyllodes strongly incurved to sigmoid (SW W.A.)
Branchlets ±straight, not pendulous; phyllodes straight to shallowly curved
Phyllodes angular-rhombic in section (W.A.)
Phyllodes terete to subterete or slightly rhombic in section
Phyllodes not rigid, acuminate with delicate, recurved tips, resin-nerved on angles; spikes densely flowered; pods 2 mm wide, ±constricted between seeds
Characters not combined as above
Sepals at least 1/2 length of petals; phyllodes 8–22 cm long; heads obloid, with flowers very densely arranged
Sepals less than 1/2 length of petals; phyllodes 4–13 cm long; heads globular to obloid with flowers subdensely arranged
Phyllodes at least 15 cm long; heads cream to pale yellow; aril bright orange; pods 7–12 mm wide, moniliform (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes < 15 cm long; other characters not combined as above
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlets appressed-hairy (at least toward apices and/or between ribs)
Phyllodes papillose by numerous, raised stomata, with straight apices (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not papillose by raised stomata, with often gently curved apices
Phyllodes striate by numerous, fine, very close, non-resinous nerves (W.A.)
Phyllodes with 6–8, impressed, often brown-resinous nerves
Branchlets resin-encrusted; peduncles 3–9 mm long; pods 2–3 mm wide, glabrous, resinous
Branchlets not resin-encrusted; other characters not combined as above
Pods undulate, 8–15 mm wide, villous with long, spreading, golden hairs (aging to white); heads 18–20-flowered
Pods not as above; heads c. 30-flowered
Peduncles puberulous; branchlets yellow-ribbed (S.A.)
Peduncles glabrous; branchlets not yellow-ribbed (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 8-nerved
Phyllodes more than 8-nerved
Heads pale yellow to cream; pods 4–6 mm wide; phyllodes deeply furrowed between nerves (N.S.W.)
Heads bright golden; pods 1.5–2 mm wide; phyllodes shallowly furrowed between nerves (W.A.)
Phyllodes with stomata evident between the nerves (×10 mag.); peduncles commonly with scattered reddish resin-hairs (W.A.)
Phyllodes without evident stomata
Pods 8–15 mm wide, villous with long, spreading, golden hairs (aging to white); branchlet ribs obscure (W.A.)
Pods 1.5–3 mm wide, glabrous or appressed-hairy; branchlets clearly yellow- or red-ribbed, at least at extremities
Pods submoniliform; peduncles densely hairy; sepals at least 1/2 length of petals (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods linear, quadrangular-terete in section and not constricted between seeds; sepals usually less than 1/2 length of petals (SW W.A.)
Peduncles densely sericeous
Peduncles glabrous or sparsely hairy
Phyllodes with 0–2 longitudinal nerves on each face [note 3]
Phyllodes some or all with more than 2 longitudinal nerves on at least one face, or reticulately nerved without discrete longitudinal nerves
Inflorescences all or mostly in axillary racemes 3 mm or more long
Inflorescences simple (rarely interspersed with a few axillary racemes, or falsely racemose at ends of branchlets due to phyllode reduction) OR, if with normal axillary racemes, then the raceme axes < 3 mm long
Phyllodes 2-nerved on each face (the second nerve sometimes not extending full length of phyllode)
Phyllodes nerveless or 1-nerved on each face
Phyllodes all < 6.5 cm long with l:w = 1–5
Phyllodes some or all > 6.5 cm long OR if shorter then l:w > 5
Flowers 6–10 in each head
Flowers 15–60 in each head
Flowers 5-merous; racemes 10–70 mm long; pods 6–9 mm wide, firmly chartaceous (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Flowers 4-merous; racemes c. 4 mm long; pods 5 mm wide, crustaceous to subwoody (W.A.)
Branchlets pruinose and glabrous; phyllodes glaucous
Characters not combined as above (branchlets hairy or glabrous, normally not pruinose although sometimes scurfy or waxy-white; phyllodes green or glaucous)
Calyx lobed to near middle; gland absent from phyllode apex; pods firmly chartaceous, 12–13 mm wide (Qld)
Calyx ±truncate; gland (small) often present at base of phyllode mucro; pods coriaceous to crustaceous, 5–15 mm wide (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Peduncles in pairs along raceme axes; phyllode l:w = 1–2; pods 12–15 mm wide, strongly curved to once-coiled (W.A.)
Peduncles single along raceme axes; phyllode l:w = 2–5; pods 5–9 mm wide, ±straight
Peduncles 10–35 mm long; seed aril red or orange (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Peduncles c. 5 mm long; seed aril cream (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 3–10 mm long; branchlet apices and new growth with patent hairs; pods crustaceous (W.A.)
Peduncles 10–35 mm long
Phyllodes orbicular to obdeltate, mostly 8–20 × 6–15 mm, with upper margin distally sinuate to sinuate-dentate; branchlets waxy-white (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above (not SW W.A.)
Phyllodes glabrous; heads golden, 16–23-flowered; pods not coiled, 5–9 mm wide (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes tomentose at least when young; heads lemon yellow, 30–55-flowered; pods coiled, 3–4 mm wide (NW W.A.)
Flowers 4-merous; racemes 2–6 mm long and 2-headed; phyllodes ±linear, 6–15 cm × 3–8 mm (SW W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous
Branchlets pruinose AND/OR some phyllode glands on triangular marginal projections
Branchlets not pruinose; phyllode glands not on prominent marginal projections
Glands commonly on triangular marginal projections; flowering peduncles minutely appressed-hairy (Qld)
Glands not on marginal projections; peduncles glabrous (W.A.)
Heads subdensely 18–20-flowered; phyllodes 6–13 cm long (SW W.A.)
Heads densely 46–56-flowered; phyllodes 15–25 cm long (northern W.A.)
Heads white, cream or pale yellow; pods 8–40 mm wide; phyllodes 7–30 × 5–50 mm, openly reticulate between the equally prominent longitudinal nerves
Heads golden; pods 4–7 mm wide; phyllode characters not combined as above
Gland single, 10–25 mm above pulvinus; funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed; phyllodes often ±straight (SE Qld, N.S.W.)
Glands 2–4, the lowermost 0–5 mm above pulvinus; funicle not encircling seed; phyllodes often markedly falcate (N.T., N Qld)
Racemes 1–2 cm long; pods 12–15 mm wide (N.T.)
Racemes 5–15 cm long; pods 20–40 mm wide
Pods 2–2.5 cm wide; phyllodes 8–20 cm long (N.T.)
Pods 3–4 cm wide; phyllodes mostly 15–25 cm long (Qld)
Raceme axes ebracteate at base; funicle encircling seed; phyllodes with second nerve normally rather well developed and apices eglandular (N.S.W., Vic.)
Raceme axes subtended when young by bracts (bract scars persistent at anthesis, view carefully at ×10 mag.); funicle not encircling seed; phyllodes with obscure second nerve and small gland often present at base of apical mucro (W.A.)
Peduncles > 10 mm long; phyllodes not puncticulate
Peduncles < 10 mm long; phyllodes often puncticulate
Phyllodes sharply pungent with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch
Phyllodes innocuous or sometimes with hard, rigid points (which do not pierce the skin)
Phyllodes some or all > 10 mm wide AND > 15 mm long
Phyllodes not more than 10 mm wide OR if wider then not more than 15 mm long
Flowers 4-merous; heads 5–12-flowered; sepals united; stipules not spinose, caducous; pods 3–4 mm wide, with margins undulate; phyllodes 10–35 × 8–30 mm (W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous; heads 25–80-flowered; sepals free; stipules often spinose; pods 7–15 mm wide, with margins not undulate
Phyllodes symmetric with midrib centrally situated, often glaucous; inflorescence axes yellowish or with a pale purplish tinge; heads 70–80-flowered (W.A.)
Phyllodes asymmetric with midrib situated near lower margin; inflorescence axes brightly coloured; heads 25–35-flowered
Branchlet apices white-pruinose; phyllodes 15–35 mm wide, commonly grey green and pruinose, with a prominent, close reticulum; inflorescence axes purple; bark corky (W.A., N.T.)
Branchlet apices not pruinose; phyllodes 10–20 mm wide, pale green to subglaucous, with an obscure, open reticulum; inflorescence axes red-brown; bark fibrous (W.A.)
Flowers 4-merous; heads 5–12-flowered; sepals united; stipules not spinose, caducous; phyllodes 10–35 × 8–30 mm; pods 3–4 mm wide, with margins undulate (W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous; heads 10–90-flowered; sepals free (except in A. hubbardiana, Qld)
Phyllodes 20–45 cm long, 1.5–3 mm wide; heads 70–90-flowered; pods 6–8 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes 0.5–11 cm long
Stipules spinose (W.A.)
Stipules not spinose
Stipules 5–12 mm long; phyllodes 3–6 cm long, midrib ±central; pods 8–10 mm wide
Stipules < 5 mm long, sometimes only hardened bases persisting; phyllodes 0.5–3 cm long, midrib often near lower margin; pods 4–5 mm wide
Branchlets ending in hard, rigid ±spinose points (sharply or coarsely pungent)
Branchlets not as above; inflorescences (except A. hubbardiana, Qld) enclosed when young by imbricate bracts (at anthesis observe bract scars at base of raceme axes)
Phyllodes elliptic to widely elliptic, 9–15 × 4–12 mm; branchlets minutely hairy, with ribs not prominent; pods coiled, c. 4 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes ±linear; branchlets glabrous, striate by ±prominent ribs
Phyllodes 5–20 × 1–1.5 mm; pods to 18 cm long and 6–12 mm wide (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 20–70 × 1–5 mm; pods to 11.5 cm long and 4–6 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes not more than 20 mm long
Phyllodes some or all > 20 mm long
Sepals united; phyllode midrib intersecting adaxial margin below apical point; pods straight, 10–15 mm wide (Qld)
Sepals free; phyllode midrib extending into apical point; pods coiled, 4–5 mm wide (W.A.)
Petals with appressed, scattered, brown to black hairs; aril thick (W.A.)
Petals glabrous; funicle filiform, exarillate
Phyllodes 4–9 mm wide; branchlet ribs, phyllode margins and midrib not resinous (W.A.)
Phyllodes 0.5–3 (–5) mm wide; branchlet ribs, phyllode margins and midrib often viscid (W.A., N.T.)
Branchlets ending in rigid, spinose or subspinose points; phyllodes sometimes few and scattered (W.A.)
Branchlets not as above; phyllodes numerous and conspicuous
Phyllodes 9–15 × 4–12 mm, elliptic to widely elliptic, ±undulate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes longer and/or narrower than above, ±linear, not undulate
Branchlets not striate; heads cream, 14–16-flowered; calyx minute, truncate (W.A.)
Branchlets striate-ribbed; heads pale yellow to golden, 25–40-flowered; sepals free to base
Phyllodes 5–20 × 1–1.5 mm; pods 6–12 mm wide; seeds globose, 5–9 mm diam. (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes 20–70 × 1–4 mm; pods 4–6 mm wide; seeds elliptic, 5–6 mm long (W.A.)
Phyllodes not more than 3.5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 3.5 cm long
Phyllodes 4–12 × 3–14 mm, l:w = 1–1.5, glabrous, markedly inequilateral; heads 6–9-flowered; racemes longer than phyllodes (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets hairy to some degree (hairs sometimes sparse or minute, observe at ×10 mag.)
Branchlets completely glabrous
Phyllodes nerveless, 0.5–2 mm wide
Phyllodes with midrib discernible (but sometimes very fine), often > 2 mm wide
Heads 4–12-flowered (N.S.W.)
Heads 20–50-flowered, golden; pods 4–7 mm wide
Heads creamy yellow, 6–12-flowered; pods 7–13 mm wide
Heads yellow to dark yellow, 4–8-flowered; pods 4–7 mm wide
Heads 25–50-flowered, 7–9 mm diam. (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads c. 20-flowered, 4–5 mm diam. (Qld)
Phyllodes puncticulate by circular, blackish resin-papillae, 10–30 mm long, 2–5 mm wide, sometimes prominently undulate, the margins and midribs verruculose by persistent, yellow, tubercle-bases of hairs (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Peduncles twinned along raceme axis, 6–18 mm long; heads creamy white to pale lemon-yellow; sepals free; stipules spiny (especially on young plants) (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles all or mostly single and alternately arranged along raceme axis; other characters not combined as above
Heads obloid to subglobular; pod 8–14 mm wide, tomentulose or velvety with ferruginous to silvery-ferruginous hairs
Heads globular; pods not as above
Phyllodes 10–20 mm long, with straight, appressed hairs (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 15 mm or more long, with curved or crisped, spreading or appressed hairs (N.S.W., Vic.)
Raceme axes subtended when young by bracts (bract scars persistent at anthesis, view carefully at ×10 mag.); pods crustaceous; aril normally orange or red; calyx ±truncate (W.A.)
Raceme axes ebracteate at base; pods coriaceous to chartaceous; aril creamy white; calyx normally dissected to some degree (not W.A.)
Phyllodes minutely appressed-puberulous over entire surface; peduncles 10–25 (–30) mm long; pods 8–13 mm wide
Phyllodes glabrous or sparsely hairy near base; peduncles 6–10 mm long; pods 4–5 mm wide
Racemes 1–10 mm long; peduncles or new shoots often golden-hairy
Racemes some or all > 10 mm long
Phyllodes (mature) glabrous, more than 10 times longer than wide (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes (mature) sericeous or glabrous, less than 10 times longer than wide
Phyllode length and indumentum characters not combined as above (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 2.5 cm or more long, densely sericeous (new shoots bright greenish yellow, mature phyllodes silvery blue-grey) (S.A., Vic.)
Peduncles and/or raceme axes golden-hairy at least when young (hairs sometimes aging silvery); phyllodes normally oblanceolate and glabrous or sparsely hairy at base
Peduncles and/or raceme axes glabrous or white-hairy
Phyllodes patent to reflexed, often glabrous or sparsely hairy, 15–30 × 3–6 mm; branchlets pilose to villous; funicle encircling seed (Qld)
Phyllode and branchlet characters not combined as above; funicle not encircling seed
Phyllodes with an indumentum of (normally dense) spreading hairs, l:w = 1.5–5, with apical points sometimes ±setose
Phyllodes glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy
Phyllodes 10–20 mm long, 4–10 mm wide; gland 0–1.5 mm above pulvinus; heads 12–18-flowered; pods 10–14 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 20 mm or more long; heads 14–30-flowered
Heads pale yellow; peduncles 8–16 (–20) mm long
Heads golden; peduncles 4–10 mm long
Branches not pruinose; phyllodes with l:w normally 3–5; gland 1–5 mm above pulvinus; pods 6–10 mm wide (Qld)
Branches pruinose; phyllodes with l:w = 1.5–2.5; gland 8–18 mm above pulvinus; pods 15–25 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles 1–3 mm long, densely appressed-hairy; branchlets densely tomentulose or appressed-puberulous with hairs covering entire surface; pods 10–20 mm wide (N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncle and branchlet characters not combined as above; pods 4–9 mm wide
Phyllodes 1.5–5 mm wide, l:w = 5–25, margins commonly appressed-hairy; gland ±prominent, 1–6 mm above pulvinus; branchlet hairs confined to ribs (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 5–9 mm wide, l:w = 2.5–4; margins with a few hairs near base; gland not prominent, 6–12 mm above base, sometimes absent; branchlet hairs not confined to ribs (Qld)
Flowers 4-merous; heads 2–5 (–8)-flowered; calyx ±truncate; pods 3–5 mm wide, margins undulate (W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Flowers 5-merous; other characters not combined as above
Racemes subtended when young by bracts (bract scars persistent at base of raceme axes at anthesis, view carefully at ×10 mag.)
Raceme axes ebracteate at base
Sepals united into a ±truncate calyx; aril red or orange; pods woody or firmly crustaceous (arid zone)
Sepals free; aril (when present) not red or orange; pods chartaceous to coriaceous-crustaceous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with l:w = 2–5, commonly glaucous; peduncles (10–) 15–35 mm long (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with l:w = 5–19, usually green; peduncles 2–10 (–15) mm long (all mainland States)
Phyllodes < 2 cm long; funicle ±exarillate
Phyllodes at least 2 cm long; pods never coiled
Phyllodes 2–5 mm wide, with mucro distinct and ±pungent; racemes 1–4 mm long; pods 4–5 mm wide, coiled
Phyllodes 5–9 mm wide, innocuous; racemes 10–25 mm long; pods 11 mm wide, ±straight
Racemes 1- or 2-headed; petals with sparse brown to black appressed hairs; branchlets ash grey; pods submoniliform, 4–7 mm wide; funicle arillate
Racemes 3–10-headed; petals glabrous; other characters not combined as above
Penultimate branchlets terete; pods 5–7 mm wide; funicle exarillate; phyllodes 0.5–3 mm wide; racemes 3–15 mm long
Penultimate branchlets acutely angled; pods 10–20 mm wide; aril brown-black; phyllodes 3–9 mm wide; racemes 20–35 mm long
Heads with 3–12 flowers (not W.A. or N.T.)
Heads with more than 12 flowers (all states)
Phyllodes 0.4–5 mm wide, l:w = 5–50, ±linear
Phyllodes some or all > 5 mm wide OR if not then l:w < 5 or not linear
Phyllodes 0.4–1 mm wide, nerveless; heads yellow to dark yellow, 4–8-flowered; pods 4–7 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads creamy yellow, 6–12-flowered; pods 7–13 mm wide; phyllodes 0.5–2 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Heads golden (rarely cream in A. fimbriata)
Phyllode gland prominent; heads 8–20-flowered; pods 5–9 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllode gland not prominent; heads 5–10-flowered; pods 4–6 mm wide (N.S.W., Vic.)
Funicle encircling seed; flower buds spreading and often subacute; glands 10–16 mm above pulvinus, not prominent (S.A.)
Funicle not encircling seed; flower buds obtuse (not S.A.)
Gland prominent, submerged and swollen within the lamina in a ±pouch-like fashion, with orifice at distal end of gland and usually downward-pointing
Gland not as above
Phyllodes 3–4 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes > 4 mm wide (Tas.)
Heads 3–5-flowered; phyllodes 5–9 mm wide, l:w = 3–5, normally inequilateral with lower margin ±straight and upper margin curved; branchlets not pruinose (N.S.W.)
Heads 5–12-flowered; phyllodes with both margins curved or upper margin straight (rarely lower margin straight as in A. lunata)
Phyllodes 6–14 mm wide, l:w = 2–3, obtuse to subacute; branchlets (at least when young), calyx and raceme axes pruinose (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 2–6 (–10) mm wide, l:w = 3–6, acute to subacute; branchlets, calyx and raceme axes normally not pruinose (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Peduncles all or mostly twinned along raceme axis; stipules spiny (at least on young plants); heads creamy white to pale lemon-yellow; sepals free; pods 8–16 mm wide, chartaceous; seeds ±exarillate
Peduncles all or mostly single and alternately arranged along raceme axis; stipules never spiny; heads often golden; sepals free or united; pods rarely > 8 mm wide; seeds arillate
Phyllodes 10–25 (–33) mm wide, retuse to subretuse, green; heads 60–90-flowered; peduncles robust (W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; heads less than 60-flowered; peduncles slender
Heads 20–30-flowered; phyllodes 2 cm or more long, 2–11 mm wide, l:w = 2–20, with midrib rather prominent (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads 35–50-flowered; phyllodes 1.5–2.5 cm long, (5–) 7–13 mm wide, l:w = 1.5–3, with midrib not prominent (NW W.A.)
Racemes 0.5–5 mm long
Racemes some or all exceeding 5 mm long
Phyllodes with l:w > 10 (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes with l:w < 10 (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Sepals free; branchlets commonly pruinose; funicle 1/2 to completely encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length OR if free (occasionally in A. fimbriata) then branchlets not pruinose and funicle not encircling seed (not W.A.)
Inflorescences mostly simple (racemes few); phyllodes normally elliptic or obovate to shortly oblanceolate, 15 mm or more long, 5–15 mm wide, l:w = 2–4 (–8)
Inflorescences mostly racemose but interspersed with a few simple, axillary heads
Phyllodes some or all with l:w > 3, 3–11 mm wide, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate (never ovate)
Phyllodes l:w = 1.5–3, 8–17 mm wide, normally elliptic to ovate
Peduncles and raceme axes densely appressed-puberulous with normally golden hairs (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles and raceme axes glabrous or with ±sparse, spreading, white hairs
Heads loosely 8–15-flowered, with buds spreading and often subacute; phyllodes acute to acuminate, 4–10 mm wide, l:w = 4–10; funicle encircling seed (S.A.)
Heads densely flowered, with buds obtuse; phyllodes not as above; funicle not encircling seed (except A. chalkeri) (not S.A.)
Bracteoles and often petal apices blackish (Qld, N.S.W.)
Bracteoles and petals not as above
Funicle encircling seed; phyllodes 25–55 × 3–10 mm, l:w = 4.5–12, broadest above middle and narrowed to base; gland not prominent; heads 18–23-flowered (N.S.W.)
Funicle not encircling seed; other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 2–5 mm wide, l:w = 5–25; gland 1–6 mm above pulvinus and ±prominent (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes some or all > 5 mm wide, l:w = 1.5–6
Phyllodes symmetrical (i.e. both the upper and lower margins curved), 10–25 mm wide, l:w = 1.5–2.5; pods 15–20 mm wide (Qld)
Phyllodes usually asymmetric with lower margin ±straight and upper margin angled or rounded; pods 4–11 mm wide
Gland 2–4 mm above pulvinus, submerged and swollen within the lamina (Tas.)
Gland not as above (not Tas.)
Heads obloid or globular; pods 5–8 mm wide; phyllodes markedly convex or angled along their upper margin; gland prominent (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads globular; pods 4–5 mm wide; phyllodes shallowly convex along upper margin; gland not prominent, sometimes absent (Qld)
Flowers 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Heads 24–27-flowered, white to cream; resinous shrubs (SW W.A.)
Heads 2–8-flowered; non-resinous shrubs
Ovaries 3–5 in each flower, glabrous; phyllode gland prominent, 5–20 mm above pulvinus; heads bright light-golden, normally 2- or 3-flowered; branchlets pruinose (SW W.A.)
Ovary 1 in each flower; heads cream to creamy-yellow, rarely bright lemon-yellow (in A. myrtifolia); branchlets mostly not pruinose
Ovary glabrous; heads 5–7-flowered; gland 0–4 (–8) mm above pulvinus (SW W.A.)
Ovary tomentulose; heads normally 2–5-flowered; gland 5–20 mm above pulvinus (W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Racemes enclosed (when young) by a series of small or large, normally caducous, imbricate bracts (bract scars persistent at base of raceme axes, view carefully at ×10 mag.) (commonly arid zone or SW W.A.)
Raceme axes ebracteate at base or with a single small bract
Sepals united, with calyx often ±truncate; aril always present, often red or orange
Sepals free; aril often absent, never red or orange
Heads with 6–9 flowers; rush-like subshrubs < 1 m high (SW W.A.)
Heads with more than 10 flowers; shrubs or trees > 1 m high
Phyllodes 7–20 cm × 1–1.5 mm, ±terete but sometimes flattish when dry, fleshy; racemes 10–40 mm long, normally growing out at anthesis; aril not red (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes horizontally flattened with gland on upper surface of lamina 5–12 mm above pulvinus (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes vertically flattened with gland on upper margin of phyllode
Heads 25–78-flowered, golden; phyllodes 7–25 cm long, (2–) 4–20 mm wide (or larger); gland 0–3 mm above pulvinus; pods thinly coriaceous; aril white (SW W.A., naturalised elsewhere)
Characters not combined as above (pods normally crustaceous to woody; aril normally red or orange; small gland often present on phyllodes at base of apical mucro)
Heads white, cream or pale yellow; phyllodes thin and ±flaccid, often large (4–25 × 0.4–3 cm); branchlets normally pendulous
Heads golden; phyllodes not flaccid, sometimes thick (thus wrinkled upon drying); branchlets not pendulous
Heads 15–25-flowered; pods 7–13 mm wide; branchlets dark grey to reddish brown; phyllodes drying grey-green (all mainland states except W.A.)
Heads 25–50-flowered; pods 5–6 mm wide; branchlets yellow to yellow-brown; phyllodes drying light-green (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes minutely appressed-puberulous over entire surface; peduncles 10–25 (–30) mm long; pods 8–13 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes ±glabrous (rarely puberulous with short patent hairs)
Branchlets densely puberulous; phyllodes 20–40 × 8–20 mm, l:w = 2–4; peduncles 6–10 mm long, normally sparsely puberulous; pods 4–5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous OR if hairy then other characters not combined as above
Phyllode apices not uncinate, rounded-obtuse with a minute ±central mucro; phyllodes narrowly linear, 3–7 cm × 1–4 mm, l:w = 11–40; branchlets often red-brown (W.A., S.A., Vic.)
Phyllode apices ±uncinate or excentrically mucronulate and often acute OR if otherwise then phyllodes not as above; branchlets not red-brown
Pods 1–2 cm wide; branchlets light grey (W.A.)
Pods < 1 cm wide
Phyllodes 2–5 cm long OR if longer then peduncles > 10 mm long
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles some or all > 10 mm long; phyllodes with l:w = 2–5 and mucro straight or slightly incurved; pods firmly crustaceous (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Peduncles < 10 mm long; phyllodes with l:w > 5 and mucro recurved to straight; pods woody (all mainland states)
Branchlets pruinose; phyllodes glaucous; aril cream (SW W.A.)
Branchlets not pruinose (although often scurfy); phyllodes green (rarely glaucous in A. ligulata); aril orange or red
Pods woody; phyllodes thick (thus usually wrinkled when dry), 3–7.5 cm long; glands 3 on at least some phyllodes (all mainland states)
Pods firmly crustaceous; phyllodes thin, 5–11.5 cm long; glands 2 (SW W.A.)
Racemes 1–3 mm long, 1- or 2-headed; petals with scattered, appressed, brown to black hairs; funicle arillate (SW W.A.)
Racemes 3–40 mm long, 2–16-headed; petals glabrous
Heads cream to lemon yellow; funicle arillate
Heads golden; racemes < 2 cm long; pods 5–8 mm wide; funicle exarillate
Heads 3–10-flowered; peduncles 3–5 mm long; racemes 10–25 mm long; pods 2–5 cm × 10–20 mm; seeds transverse in pod (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Heads 10–20-flowered; peduncles 5–10 mm long; racemes 20–40 mm long
Phyllodes slightly thickened, finely longitudinally wrinkled when dry; pods 2–5 cm long, 10–20 mm wide; seeds transverse in pods (W.A.)
Phyllodes thin, smooth when dry; pods 6–12 cm long, 6–12 mm wide; seeds longitudinal in pods (S.A.)
Phyllodes 4–10 cm long, 4–9 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes normally > 10 cm long AND/OR less then 4 mm wide
Phyllodes 9–15 cm long, 2–5 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 9 cm long OR if to 11 cm then 1–2 mm wide (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes 3–6 cm long, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate; stipules spiny, 5–10 mm long; heads golden, 40–50-flowered (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles all or mostly 2 or 3 together at each node along raceme axes
Peduncles single at each node and alternate (rarely opposite) along raceme axes
Sepals united; bracteoles, sepal apices or petals densely hairy (hairs often golden); stipules not spinose; branchlets often pruinose; phyllodes large (7–27 cm long, 3–17 mm wide)
Sepals free; indumentum of bracteoles, petals and sepals not as above; stipules sometimes spinose
Phyllodes with obvious lateral nerves, 15–25 cm long, 6–14 mm wide; bracteole and sepal apices white- or pale yellow-hairy; aril large (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes with very obscure lateral nerves; bracteole and sepal apices densely golden-hairy; aril small or absent (arid zone)
Phyllodes obtuse to subacute, 7–17 cm long, 6–20 (–30) mm wide (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes long-acuminate, 15–27 cm long, 3–8 mm wide (Qld)
Phyllodes 10–25 (–33) mm wide, l:w = 2–4 (–5), not linear, retuse to subretuse; heads 60–90-flowered (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 10 mm wide, often linear
Branchlets pruinose; phyllodes 20–45 cm long; heads golden; wispy shrub (NW W.A.)
Branchlets not pruinose OR if so then phyllodes less then 20 cm long
Heads golden, 30–45-flowered; stipules not spinose; pods c. 4 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Heads creamy white to pale lemon-yellow; stipules spiny but commonly absent from mature plants; pods 6–16 mm wide
Phyllodes pulvinate, easily detached from branchlets, 2–5 mm wide, straight to shallowly curved
Phyllodes sessile, not easily separated from branchlets, 1–3 mm wide, curved to sinuous
Heads 60–80-flowered; pods 7–8 mm wide (NW W.A.)
Heads 15–30-flowered; pods 9–16 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 1–5 mm wide
Phyllodes some or all > 5 mm wide
Phyllodes 10–30 (–45) × 2–5 mm, puncticulate when young by blackish, circular, resin-papillae, with margins and midribs verruculose by persistent, yellow, tubercle-bases of hairs, sometimes prominently undulate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Sepals free AND phyllode glands not pustular; funicle often exarillate (species sometimes occurring in arid zone)
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length OR if free (rare) then gland pustular (i.e. large and swollen, with a thickened rim projecting well beyond the margin); funicle always arillate (species never occurring in arid zone)
Phyllodes with rather obvious anastomosing lateral nerves that arch downwards near the margin, 10–15 cm long; racemes 2–10 mm long; peduncles 10–20 mm long; pods 20–23 mm wide; funicle exarillate (Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles and/or raceme axes hairy to some degree (hairs normally appressed and often sparse, commonly absent in fruit, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Peduncles and raceme axes completely glabrous
Phyllodes with midrib and marginal nerves obviously resinous; branchlets obviously resin-ribbed (SW W.A.)
Phyllode nerves and branchlet ribs not resinous
Peduncles 2–4 mm long, golden appressed-puberulous; racemes 4–20 mm long, golden appressed-puberulous; bracteoles golden-fimbriolate; funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Peduncle, raceme and bracteole characters not combined as above; funicle sometimes looped below seed but not encircling it (not SW W.A.)
Racemes 1–5 mm long; heads 20–35-flowered; phyllodes glabrous (hairy when young); peduncles 4–12 mm long (S.A., Vic.)
Racemes > 5 mm long; heads 7–20-flowered; phyllodes commonly hairy; peduncles 1.5–5 mm long
Phyllodes 2–5 mm wide, appressed-hairy on margins only, or glabrous; heads 8–20-flowered (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 4 mm or more wide, appressed-hairy over surface of lamina; heads 7–9-flowered (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes acute or short-acuminate with delicate, curved points; funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed
Phyllode apices not as above
Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, l:w > 10 (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Bracteoles dark brown to black, white-fimbriolate; phyllodes 7–12 cm long, narrowly oblanceolate; peduncles 3–6 mm long; funicle encircling seed (N.S.W.)
Bracteoles not as above; other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes not more than 7 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 7 cm long
Funicle encircling seed; bracteoles golden-fimbriolate; phyllodes narrowly oblanceolate; gland obscure (SW W.A.)
Funicle not encircling seed; bracteoles not golden-fimbriolate; phyllodes normally narrowly linear; gland sometimes exserted (Qld, N.S.W.)
Gland absent or > 6 mm above pulvinus
Gland 1–6 mm above pulvinus
Pods 5–7 mm wide, blackish; funicle arillate; phyllodes eglandular at apex; heads 12–25-flowered (temperate Qld, N.S.W.)
Pods 7–13 mm wide, commonly yellow-brown; funicle exarillate; phyllodes with a small gland at base of apical mucro; heads often with more than 25 flowers (arid or semi-arid areas)
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, thickly coriaceous, 3–8 mm wide; branchlets not pruinose; peduncles 10–20 mm long; seeds longitudinal (W.A.)
Phyllodes narrowly linear to narrowly elliptic OR if linear-oblanceolate then other characters not combined as above
Gland 3–7 mm above pulvinus; phyllodes c. 2 mm wide; peduncles 10–20 mm long; seeds ±longitudinal in pods (W.A.)
Gland at distal end of pulvinus, rarely absent; peduncles 4–10 (–15) mm long; seeds transverse to oblique in pods
Phyllodes > 1 mm wide (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 0.5–1 mm wide (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Peduncles and raceme axes completely glabrous
Peduncles and/or raceme axes hairy to some degree (the hairs sometimes sparse and/or confined to apex of peduncles)
Inflorescences 2-headed racemes to 5 mm long; peduncles 7–16 mm long; heads 36–46-flowered; phyllodes narrowly elliptic, 4–8 cm long, 5–10 mm wide; viscid shrub or tree (S.A., ?Vic.)
Characters not combined as above (plants not viscid)
Funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed (S.A., N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Funicle not encircling seed
Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, acute to acuminate, 20–55 × 4–10 mm; heads ±loosely 8–15-flowered with spreading, often subacute buds (S.A.)
Phyllodes and heads not as above
Phyllodes 0.8–2 mm wide, narrowly linear
Phyllodes some or all > 2 mm wide, infrequently narrowly linear
Phyllodes narrowed to short, ±straight, erect points; heads 12–20-flowered (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes narrowed to long, delicately curved points; heads 25–40-flowered (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes < 7 cm long, usually narrowly oblanceolate
Phyllodes some or all > 7 cm long
Phyllodes uncinate or gradually narrowed at apex into long, delicately curved points
Phyllodes not as above (N.S.W.)
Racemes to c. 5 mm long and 1–4 (–5)-headed (S.A., Vic.: mostly inland areas)
Racemes 7–25 mm long and 4–12-headed (S.A., Vic., Tas.: coastal habitats)
Phyllodes obtuse, 25–55 × 4–10 mm
Phyllodes acute to acuminate, 50–90 × 2–5 mm
Heads 30–50-flowered, pale yellow; phyllodes 7–22 cm long (S.A., Vic.)
Heads 20–35-flowered; phyllodes 5–10 cm long (N.S.W.)
Heads creamy white or bright yellow; phyllodes normally gradually narrowed to acute or acuminate apices
Heads golden; phyllodes often abruptly narrowed to acute apices
Phyllode glands either prominently raised and exserted above margin and/or obviously swollen within lamina (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode glands not or scarcely raised above the margin and not swollen within the lamina, occasionally absent
Gland 1–6 mm above pulvinus; phyllodes 2–5 (–7) cm long, 2–5 mm wide, glabrous or with margins appressed-hairy; heads normally bright golden (Qld, N.S.W.)
Gland and phyllode characters not combined as above
Heads 7–12-flowered
Heads some or all with more than 12 flowers
Phyllodes not narrowly linear; heads golden (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes narrowly linear
Phyllodes 4–8 cm long, 1–1.6 mm wide; peduncles 2–4 mm long; heads commonly lime-yellow (Qld)
Phyllodes longer and/or wider than above; peduncles 3.5–9 mm long
Heads golden; gland slightly exserted; pods 11–12 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads cream; gland prominently exserted; pods 8–9 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 4–8 cm long, 4–8 mm wide, with 2 or 3 prominent glands; heads pale yellow; pods 8–10 mm wide (Qld)
Characters not combined as above (heads normally golden)
Pods 11–12 mm wide; phyllodes uncinate to subuncinate, 1.5–2.5 mm wide; gland slightly exserted (Qld, N.S.W.)
Pods 5–7.5 mm wide; phyllode characters not combined as above; gland clearly exserted, or sometimes absent
Phyllode 2–3 mm wide; glands small but exserted (not pustular), or commonly absent; bipinnate leaves not retained as below (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes commonly > 3 mm wide; glands pustular; bipinnate leaves retained until plant 2–3 m high or may persist on lower branches of mature plants
Gland 1–1.5 mm long and with a large, central pore, often connected to midrib by a fine oblique nerve (Qld)
Gland normally < 1 mm long and with a small, acentral pore, not or rarely connected to midrib by a fine oblique nerve (N.S.W.)
Heads 5–12-flowered; phyllodes not more than 6 cm long; peduncles 2–5 mm long (N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads creamy yellow; pods 7–13 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Heads golden
Petals 1-nerved; pods c. 10 mm wide; heads 9–15-flowered (N.S.W.)
Petals ±nerveless; pods 4–6 mm wide; heads 5–10-flowered (N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles constricted at apex to a narrow receptacle; phyllodes thick, longitudinally wrinkled when dry; heads cream (SW W.A.)
Peduncles and phyllodes not as above (not SW W.A. except sometimes A. hakeoides)
Pods 8–12 mm wide
Pods 3–7 mm wide
Phyllodes 3–8 cm long; gland < 10 mm above pulvinus; heads golden (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes some or all > 8 cm long; gland 10–40 mm above pulvinus
Heads golden; phyllodes 1.5–2.5 mm wide, uncinate to subuncinate (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads creamy yellow; phyllodes 2–5 mm wide, not uncinate (Qld)
Peduncles slender, 3–8 mm long; bracteoles light brown, not very evident in mature buds; pods linear and not constricted between seeds (N.S.W.)
Peduncles ±stout, 2–5 mm long, drying dark brown to blackish; bracteoles dark brown to black and evident in mature buds; pods often ±moniliform
Phyllodes green, 3 mm or more wide; heads 20–27 (–35)-flowered (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes glaucous, 1.5–3 mm wide; heads 15–20-flowered (Vic.)
Peduncles with minute, patent hairs; bipinnate leaves normally persistent with the phyllodes; subshrubs 0.3–0.6 m high (SW W.A.)
Peduncles appressed-hairy or glabrous; bipinnate leaves usually not persistent with phyllodes; tall shrubs or trees
Racemes to 5 mm long; peduncles 4–12 mm long, not bright golden-hairy; phyllodes 25–55 mm long, linear-oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic, commonly with delicate, curved to uncinate points (S.A., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllode glands either clearly raised above the margin and/or prominently swollen within the lamina
Phyllode glands not or scarcely raised above the margin and not prominently swollen within the lamina
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 1–3 (–5) mm wide, glabrous or hairs ±confined to midrib, some or all > 7 cm long
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with midrib appressed-puberulous (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes glabrous (Qld)
Phyllodes with appressed hairs covering entire lamina or occurring in patches, rarely glabrous, usually 6–15 cm long; heads 20–35-flowered; glands ±pustular (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes not more than 7 cm long, glabrous or appressed-hairy on margins; heads 8–20-flowered; glands not pustular
Branchlets hairy on ribs or glabrous; phyllodes appressed-hairy on margins or glabrous, dark green; pods 5–9 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes glabrous, green to glaucous; pods 8–14 mm wide (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes less then 6 cm long; racemes about as long as phyllodes or longer
Phyllodes > 6 cm long OR if not then other characters not combined as in leads 57 and 58 above
Heads 4–8-flowered; peduncles hairy to subglabrous (N.S.W.)
Heads 15–30-flowered; peduncles golden-hairy; funicle not encircling seed (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets and/or phyllodes hairy to some degree; raceme axes and peduncles never golden-hairy; heads 8–20-flowered; funicle not encircling seed (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets and phyllodes completely glabrous
Heads white or cream; phyllodes narrowly linear, 5–8 cm long, 2–3 mm wide, hairs mostly confined to midribs (Qld)
Heads lemon yellow to golden; phyllode characters not combined as above
Ovary densely tomentose; branchlets often lightly pruinose; phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous, moderately appressed-hairy to glabrous; pods 8–10 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Ovary glabrous; other characters not combined as above
Gland 1–6 mm above pulvinus; phyllodes dark green, appressed-hairy on margins or glabrous, mostly 20–50 long and 2–5 mm long (N.S.W., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes moderately to densely appressed-puberulous; pods 8–10 mm wide; seeds longitudinal (Qld)
Phyllodes glabrous or sparsely hairy; pods 10–20 mm wide; seeds mostly transverse to oblique (N.S.W., Vic.)
Flowering peduncles, raceme axes OR bracteole margins with bright golden hairs; funicle partially to wholly encircling seed
Flowering peduncles, raceme axes and bracteole margins with white or very pale yellow hairs or glabrous
Pods 4–4.5 mm wide, ±moniliform; heads 30–40-flowered (S.A., ?N.S.W.)
Pods > 4 mm wide and/or not moniliform; heads often less than 30-flowered (SW W.A.)
Pods 12–22 mm wide; phyllodes commonly narrowly linear and ±straight
Pods 4–8 mm wide
Heads 2–3 mm diam.; peduncles 2–4 mm long; phyllodes often shallowly incurved
Heads 5–8 mm diam.; peduncles often > 4 mm long; phyllodes straight to shallowly incurved
Phyllodes 4–8 mm wide (N of Perth, W.A.)
Phyllodes 2–5 mm wide (S of Perth, W.A.)
Phyllodes mostly 20–50 × 2–5 mm; gland 1–6 mm above pulvinus; funicle not encircling seed (N.S.W., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Heads cream or lemon-yellow; phyllodes uncinate; pods 5–6 (–9) mm wide; funicle 1/2–3/4-encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Heads golden; phyllodes normally not uncinate
Pods 11–14 mm wide; phyllodes acuminate with delicate, mostly incurved tips; funicle not encircling seed (N.S.W.)
Pods < 10 mm wide; phyllode apices not as above
Funicle not encircling seed; peduncles drying dark reddish brown to blackish, sparsely white-hairy; bracteoles dark brown to black, white fimbriolate and evident in buds
Funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed; peduncle and bracteole characters normally not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes green, 3 mm or more wide; heads 20–27 (–35)-flowered; pods 4–6 mm wide (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes glaucous, 1.5–3 mm wide; heads 15–20-flowered; pods 3–3.5 mm wide (Vic.)
Phyllodes 4–8 mm wide (N of Perth, W.A.)
Phyllodes 2–5 mm wide (S of Perth, W.A.)
Branchlets velvety-villous; phyllodes 12–17 × 3.5–6 cm, indumentum as on branchlets but sometimes sparse (Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes tomentulose to velvety-pubescent with an indumentum of distinct, spreading hairs (very rarely glabrous in A. podalyriifolia but then phyllodes with l:w 1.5–2.5)
Phyllodes glabrous or with indumentum of appressed hairs, l:w normally > 2.5
Heads obloid; branchlet hairs crisped; pods with reddish brown hairs (N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads globular; branchlet hairs ±straight; pods with white hairs
Branchlets not pruinose; phyllodes with l:w normally 3–5; gland 1–5 mm above pulvinus; pods 6–10 mm wide (Qld)
Branchlets pruinose; phyllodes with l:w = 1.5–2.5; gland 8–18 mm above pulvinus; pods 15–25 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles golden-hairy, 3–6 mm long; racemes 3–6 (–12) cm long, about as long as phyllodes or longer; phyllodes 2–6 cm long, 2–10 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes densely sericeous with silvery blue-grey hairs covering entire surface (greenish yellow on new shoots), oblanceolate, 2.5–5 (–6) cm long; racemes normally 4–10 mm long (S.A., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes (mature) appressed-hairy on surface of lamina (hairs sometimes sparse and minute: observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes (mature) glabrous or with hairs confined to base, margins or midribs
Heads obloid, 20–40-flowered
Heads globular
Branchlet hairs straight and closely appressed; phyllodes 5–8 cm long; pod hairs silvery white (N.S.W.)
Branchlet hairs crisped and spreading; phyllodes 1.5–3 (–6) cm long; pod hairs reddish brown (N.S.W., Vic.)
Sepals free; heads 7–9-flowered; ovary glabrous; gland submerged and swollen within lamina in a ±pouch-like fashion (N.S.W.)
Sepals united; heads commonly with more than 9 flowers and/or ovary pubescent; gland not as above
Phyllodes with 1–3 pustular glands; heads 20–25-flowered (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes with a single, non-pustular gland; heads 8–20-flowered
Ovary glabrous
Ovary densely pubescent (N.S.W.)
Indumentum on new shoots, raceme axes and often peduncles light golden; heads 15–20-flowered; pods 8–10 mm wide (Qld)
Indumentum on new shoots, raceme axes and peduncles white; heads 8–15-flowered; pods 10–20 mm wide (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 7.5–11.5 mm wide, with minute hairs (< 0.1 mm long); gland often connected to midrib by a fine nerve; pods 10–11 mm wide
Phyllodes normally 3–6 mm wide, with distinct hairs (0.1–0.2 mm long); gland not as above (except Mt Coricudgy populations which may also have phyllodes to 12 mm wide); pods 8–10 mm wide
Plants viscid; racemes not more than 5 mm long; peduncles 7–16 mm long, glabrous; sepals united; funicle arillate and not encircling seed (S.A., ?Vic.)
Plants not viscid; other characters not combined as above
Heads creamy white, 15–20-flowered; phyllodes much-narrowed at base, falcate, broadest above middle, 7–19 × 1–4 cm; gland 0–5 mm above pulvinus, not connected to midrib by a nerve; peduncles appressed-hairy (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Sepals free or almost so; glands not pustular; funicle sometimes exarillate
Sepals united for 1/4 or more their length OR if free then glands pustular; funicle always arillate
Peduncles 1.5–6 mm long; bracteoles dark brown to black, white-fimbriolate; phyllodes oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, coriaceous; lowermost gland 0–5 mm above pulvinus (N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above (not N.S.W., except A. murrayana)
Phyllodes 3–6 × 0.9–1.4 cm, with 1–3 marginal glands
Phyllodes 7–12 × 0.5–1.2 cm, with 3–6 marginal glands
Pods 4–6 mm wide; funicle arillate, 1/2 to wholly encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Pods 8–23 mm wide; funicle ±exarillate, not encircling seed
Phyllodes some or all with l:w > 3, normally 20–55 mm long, 3–11 mm wide, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate (never ovate)
Phyllodes with l:w = 1.5–3, 16–35 mm long, 8–17 mm wide, normally elliptic to ovate
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, 4–10 cm long, 3–8 mm wide, subrigid, coriaceous; branchlets not pruinose; peduncles 10–20 mm long; shrub 1–2.5 m high (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above; tall shrubs or trees
Racemes 10–60 mm long; peduncles 4–10 (–15) mm long; phyllodes with small gland at base of apical mucro (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Racemes to 10 (–15) mm long, sometimes appearing as axillary clusters; peduncles 10–20 mm long; phyllode apices eglandular (Qld)
Phyllodes 7–20 (–35) mm wide; basal gland < 1 mm long; seeds ±longitudinal
Phyllodes 3–8 mm wide; basal gland 1–2 mm long; seeds transverse
Seeds transverse in pods AND encircled by funicles; pods 8–17 mm wide; heads 25–40-flowered; phyllodes glabrous, 6–13 cm long, 8–25 mm wide (S.A., SW N.S.W., NW Vic.)
Seeds longitudinal in pods OR if transverse then not encircled by funicles
Phyllodes thin, green; heads pale yellow (S.A.)
Phyllodes thick, grey-green to glaucous; heads golden (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads more than 30-flowered (best counted in mature bud)
Heads 5–30-flowered (best counted in mature bud)
Glands prominently swollen within or clearly exserted beyond margins; phyllodes 3–12 mm wide, l:w = 7–30; peduncles and raceme axes often appressed-hairy (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Pods 4–7 mm wide
Pods 8–17 mm wide
Peduncles and/or raceme axes hairy to some degree (the hairs minute, sometimes sparse and confined to apex of peduncles)
Peduncles and raceme axes completely glabrous
Peduncles thick (c. 1.5 mm diam.), coarsely longitudinally grooved; heads 50–140-flowered; funicle not encircling seed (S.A., N.S.W.)
Peduncles not as above; heads less than 50-flowered; funicle 3/4 to wholly encircling seed (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous (E of Perth, W.A.)
Phyllodes dark green (S of Perth, W.A.)
Branchlets obviously flexuose, pendulous or subpendulous, not pruinose; phyllodes normally much-narrowed at base
Branchlets not as above
Stipules persistent; peduncles 3–6 mm long; phyllodes with prominent lateral nerves (Qld)
Stipules caducous; peduncles 10–20 mm long; phyllodes with obscure lateral nerves (S.A.)
Funicle not encircling seed; phyllodes attenuate at base, commonly falcate; pulvinus 4–7 mm long; peduncles stout; branchlets terete, (S.A., N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., often naturalised elsewhere)
Funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed; other characters normally not combined as above
Phyllodes acute to acuminate, 7–22 cm long, 3–15 mm, l:w normally > 10; heads pale yellow; branchlets infrequently pruinose, flattened or angular (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes obtuse, 7–13 cm long, 9–40 mm wide, l:w < 10; heads normally golden; branchlets normally pruinose
Phyllodes with a single gland 0–4 mm above pulvinus; peduncles 4–11 mm long; bracteoles glabrous, pale coloured and not prominent in buds (southern S.A.)
Phyllodes with (1–) 2–4 glands along the upper margin, the lowermost near pulvinus; peduncles 2–6 mm long; bracteoles white-fimbriolate or dark brown and rather evident in buds
Heads 40–80-flowered; phyllodes with 1 or 2 glands (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Heads 30–40-flowered; phyllodes with 3 or 4 glands (SW W.A.)
Bipinnate leaves commonly persisting with phyllodes; branchlets not pruinose; phyllodes 10–14 cm long, 7–16 mm wide, attenuate at base, normally obtuse; heads cream (N.S.W., Qld)
Bipinnate leaves not persistent; other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes acuminate to acute, 5–12 mm wide (to 25 mm at base of branches in A. confluens); peduncles 6–25 mm long
Phyllodes obtuse or retuse, usually 10–80 mm wide; peduncles 1.5–8 mm long
Phyllodes 15–25 cm long; petals hairy (northern W.A.)
Phyllodes 6–14 cm long; petals glabrous
Heads 20–32-flowered; pods firmly chartaceous (N.S.W.)
Heads 40–60-flowered; pods thickly coriaceous to subwoody (S.A.)
Branchlets stout, angled; pulvinus 1–2 mm long; bracteoles golden-fimbriolate (SW W.A.)
Branchlets terete; pulvinus (3–) 5–7 mm long; bracteoles not golden-fimbriolate
Phyllodes with a central midrib; heads 40–80-flowered; pods 5–10 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes with midrib situated towards upper margin; heads 25–40-flowered; pods 9–25 mm wide (not arid zone)
Basal gland 0–4 mm above pulvinus, with pore narrow and elongated (often slit-like); peduncles 5–8 mm long; funicle encircling seed (Qld)
Basal gland not as above; peduncles 1.5–5 mm long, stout; funicle not encircling seed (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Pods not more than 7 mm wide
Pods some or all > 7 mm wide
Pulvinus 9–12 mm long; phyllodes attenuate at base, falcate, 10–13 cm long, 15–22 mm wide (S.A.)
Pulvinus < 9 mm long
Phyllodes normally drying reddish at least on margins and midrib; bipinnate leaves often persistent with phyllodes; gland 10–40 mm above pulvinus; peduncles glabrous; funicle encircling seed (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Phyllodes not drying reddish; other characters not combined as above
Gland ±pustular (i.e. large and swollen, with a thickened rim projecting beyond the margin), commonly more than 1 gland along margin
Gland not pustular (not or scarcely projecting beyond margin)
Heads 6–12-flowered; phyllodes oblanceolate, 3–8 cm long, 5–17 mm wide; funicle encircling seed (N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads more than 12-flowered; phyllodes linear to narrowly elliptic, often > 8 cm long; funicle not encircling seed
Branchlets, peduncles, raceme axes and ovary glabrous; gland 15–55 mm above pulvinus
Branchlets, peduncles, raceme axes or ovary hairy to some degree; gland not more than 20 mm above pulvinus
Racemes about as long as phyllodes or longer; phyllodes 1.5–5 cm long, obtuse to subacute
Racemes clearly shorter than phyllodes
Phyllodes 10–15 (–20) mm wide (S.A.)
Phyllodes 4–8 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Funicle not encircling seed; gland 10–45 mm above pulvinus; peduncles ±glabrous, stout, drying dark brown to blackish; bracteoles blackish, white-fimbriolate; branchlets terete (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above (funicle normally partially or wholly encircling seed)
Peduncles and raceme axes glabrous (not SW W.A., except A. jennerae)
Peduncles and/or raceme axes appressed-puberulous, with hairs sometimes sparse and confined to peduncle apices
Phyllodes uncinate to subuncinate, 3–6.5 mm long, 3–10 mm wide (S.A., Vic., Tas.: coastal habitats)
Phyllodes not as above (inland habitats)
Phyllodes normally acuminate, 5–11 cm long, 5–15 (–24) mm wide; glands (1–) 2 or 3; branchlets terete (W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes obtuse, 2.5–7 cm long, 3–12 mm wide; gland 1; branchlets angled at apices
Phyllodes obtuse-mucronulate; heads densely 18–23-flowered (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes rounded-obtuse, with mucro normally absent; heads subdensely 12–20-flowered (S.A.)
Pods linear, 4–6 mm wide; phyllodes ±straight, obtuse to acute, 5–12 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Pods moniliform to submoniliform, 6–8 mm wide; phyllodes normally falcately recurved and/or acuminate, 5–25 mm wide
Gland 10–30 mm above pulvinus (N of Perth, W.A.)
Gland normally 3–10 mm above pulvinus (S of Perth, W.A.)
Phyllodes ±straight; glands (1–) 2 or 3 along upper margin, the lowermost 1–10 mm above pulvinus; heads light golden (mostly arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes normally falcately recurved, with a single gland along upper margin 5–30 mm above pulvinus; heads cream or golden (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 9–22 × 2.5–8 (–16) cm, much-narrowed at base; pulvinus 5–12 mm long; gland 0–4 mm above pulvinus, not connected to midrib by a fine nerve, the pore narrow and elongated; funicle encircling seed (Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Heads white, cream or very pale yellow
Heads golden or bright lemon yellow
Phyllodes with 2 or 3 rather prominent glands along upper margin, 4–8 cm long, 4–8 mm wide (Qld)
Phyllodes with a single marginal gland, normally larger than above
Bipinnate leaves commonly persisting with phyllodes; gland 1–5 mm above pulvinus, not connected to midrib by a nerve; pods 13–15 mm wide (N.S.W., Qld)
Bipinnate leaves not persistent; gland 5–30 mm above pulvinus
Pods 6–8 mm wide, moniliform to submoniliform; gland not connected to midrib by a nerve; peduncles 3–5 mm long, appressed-puberulous (SW W.A.)
Pods not as above; gland often connected to midrib by a fine oblique nerve; peduncles commonly longer and/or glabrous (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, acuminate, ±straight, l:w = 6–14, grey-green (N.S.W.)
Peduncles hairy OR if glabrous then other characters not combined as above
Funicle encircling seed; pods 9–11 mm wide; peduncles normally with ±spreading, golden or white hairs; heads 17–20-flowered (N.S.W.)
Funicle not encircling seed; other characters not combined as above (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Pods 10–17 mm wide; peduncles glabrous or white appressed-puberulous; phyllodes straight or falcate
Pods 15–25 mm wide; peduncles appressed-puberulous with usually yellow hairs; phyllodes usually falcate
Bipinnate leaves persisting with phyllodes AND/OR phyllodes normally drying reddish (at least on their margins or midribs); heads 10–20-flowered
Bipinnate leaves not persisting with phyllodes; phyllodes not drying reddish
Phyllodes (rarely developed) < 10 mm wide, 6–9 cm long, ±straight, linear-oblanceolate; gland 10–15 mm above pulvinus (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllode characters normally not combined as above (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Bracteoles golden-fimbriolate; peduncles and raceme axes normally pale yellow or golden appressed-hairy (often glabrous in A. jennerae); funicle normally partially to wholly encircling seed (SW W.A. and arid zone)
Bracteoles glabrous or white-fimbriolate (not W.A. or arid zone)
Peduncles and raceme axes normally glabrous; phyllodes ±straight, and normally acuminate; glands (1–) 2 or 3, lowermost 1–10 mm above pulvinus (mostly arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Funicle not more than 1/2-encircling seed; pods 10–22 mm wide; phyllodes < 10 mm wide, ±straight
Funicle wholly encircling seed; pods 6–11 mm wide; phyllodes often > 10 mm wide and/or falcate
Pods 9–11 mm wide (rare, Shark Bay area)
Pods 6–8 mm wide (common, Murchison R. to Fitzgerald R.)
Phyllode glands submerged and swollen within the lamina in a ±pouch-like fashion, with orifice at distal end of gland and usually downward-pointing
Phyllode glands not as above
Phyllodes with l:w = (2–) 3–6; gland 2–4 mm above pulvinus (Tas.)
Phyllodes with l:w = 8–13; gland 4–15 mm above pulvinus (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode glands 2 or 3 OR if 1 then clearly exserted beyond margin
Phyllode gland 1, not or scarcely exserted beyond margin
Ovary glabrous; heads 7–16-flowered; phyllodes 3–6 cm × 5–12 mm, l:w = 4–8 (N.S.W.: widely cultivated)
Ovary pubescent; other characters not combined as above
Heads 17–20-flowered; branchlets, phyllodes and peduncles glabrous (Vic.)
Heads 20–35-flowered; branchlets, phyllodes, raceme axes OR peduncles with some hairs (Qld)
Branchlets, raceme axes and peduncles appressed-hairy
Branchlets, raceme axes and peduncles glabrous or with microscopic, straight patent hairs
Ovary densely pubescent (N.S.W.)
Ovary glabrous (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 5–17 × 1.5–5 cm, with midrib clearly excentric (situated towards upper margin); gland 0–12 mm above pulvinus, not connected to midrib by a fine nerve (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets pruinose; funicle not encircling seed
Branchlets not pruinose; funicle sometimes encircling seed
Heads 5–8-flowered; phyllodes 3–5.5 cm long, 5–11 mm wide, l:w = 5–8 (N.S.W.)
Heads 15–30-flowered; phyllodes 2–8 cm long, 8–30 mm wide, l:w = 2–5
Gland connected to pulvinus by a fine, oblique nerve; phyllodes 4–8 cm long, 15–30 mm wide; pods 14–22 mm wide (Vic.)
Gland not connected to pulvinus by a nerve; phyllodes 2–6 cm long, 8–20 mm wide; pods 8–10 mm wide
Gland 0–3 mm above pulvinus; branchlets hirtellous with microscopic, straight, patent hairs (Qld, N.S.W.)
Gland 5–22 mm above pulvinus; branchlets usually glabrous (Qld)
Heads ±loosely 8–15-flowered with spreading, often subacute buds; phyllodes acute to acuminate; funicle encircling seed (S.A.)
Heads densely 15–30-flowered, with obtuse buds; phyllodes commonly obtuse
Funicle encircling seed; branchlets acutely angled at extremities; pods 6–8 mm wide (S.A.)
Funicle not encircling seed; other char-acters not combined as above (not S.A.)
Phyllodes oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, 4–11 cm long, 5–16 mm wide, l:w = 5–13 (N.S.W.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (l:w = 2–5)
Seeds transverse in pods; phyllodes obovate to oblanceolate; peduncles 4–7 mm long (Vic.)
Seeds longitudinal in pods; phyllodes elliptic to obovate; peduncles 3–4 mm long (Qld)
Bipinnate foliage persistent with phyllodes; plants 0.3–1.2 m high (SW W.A.)
Bipinnate foliage not persistent
Flowers (3 or) 4-merous (not N.T. or Qld)
Flowers 5-merous
Branchlets spinose or subspinose AND phyllodes innocuous, 4–12 long, 0.5–4 mm wide and not triangular (SW W.A.)
Branchlets not spinose
Phyllodes < 1 mm wide; heads 6- or 7-flowered; pods coiled
Phyllodes 2–4 mm wide; heads 12–22-flowered; pods not coiled
Phyllodes either continuous with branchlets or very few and scattered, 1–4 mm wide, not triangular; petals flabellate-striate (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; petals normally nerveless or 1-nerved
Phyllodes not continuous with branchlets, innocuous, few and scattered
Phyllodes continuous with branchlets, pungent
Phyllodes linear to linear-elliptic or linear-oblanceolate (never triangular) AND not sharply pungent, 1–8 mm wide
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Heads on peduncles 8–15 mm long, globular, white to cream; phyllodes (6–) 9–15 cm long, 3–8 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Heads ±sessile, golden, often shortly obloid
Phyllodes with a very prominent, broad (c. 0.5 mm wide), flat-topped midrib, with marginal nerves similar (SW W.A.)
Phyllode midrib not as above
Phyllodes 5–11 cm long (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 2.5–4.5 cm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 2.5–11 cm long, 6–40 mm wide, acuminate, with 2 prominent longitudinal nerves on each face; peduncles often clustered in phyllode axils (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 2.5–4 long, 6–10 mm wide, not prominently reticulate; upper margin of phyllode with a prominent gland-angle
Phyllodes 5–11 cm long, 10–40 mm wide, prominently reticulate between the longitudinal nerves; upper margin of phyllode rounded
Phyllodes 1.5–5 cm long, 4–30 mm wide, neither triangular nor linear, innocuous OR if pungent then peduncles 10–25 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Stipules persistent, 1.5–10 mm long; branchlets hairy or glabrous
Stipules caducous OR if persistent then < 1 mm long; branchlets glabrous
Branchlets pruinose, glabrous; stipules 7–10 mm long
Branchlets not pruinose, hairy or occasionally glabrous; stipules 1.5–4 mm long
Heads 5–9-flowered; peduncles 10–20 mm long
Heads 19–25-flowered; peduncles 4–9 mm long
Heads 8–12-flowered, lemon yellow; peduncles 10–25 mm long; phyllodes 1-nerved
Heads 3–7-flowered, white or cream; peduncles 4–11 mm long; phyllodes 2-nerved (second nerve often less prominent than midrib)
Heads 6- or 7-flowered; peduncles 7–11 mm long; branchlets flattened
Heads 3- or 4-flowered; peduncles 4–7 mm long; branchlets not flattened
Phyllodes with a prominently thickened, nerve-like upper margin; branchlets densely retrorsely hairy (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes and branchlets not as above
Phyllodes ±crescent-shaped with a triangular, gland-bearing spur on adaxial margin, the gland overtopped by a short, ±pungent mucro; heads obloid (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above (gland never overtopped by a mucro); heads normally globular
Phyllodes with midrib ±centrally situated AND never broadest above middle
Phyllodes with midrib situated near lower margin OR if ±central, then phyllodes broadest above middle (SW W.A.)
Branchlets pruinose, glabrous, prominently ribbed; phyllodes narrowly elliptic, 10–50 × 4–12 mm (SW W.A.)
Branchlets and phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes linear, 10–35 mm long; branchlets hairy; heads 2–6-flowered; peduncles 1.5–4 mm long (Tas.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads 12–25-flowered; branchlets glabrous, ribbed; phyllodes closely sessile (eastern Aust.)
Heads less then 12-flowered OR if not then branchlets hairy; peduncles 1–10 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes narrowly triangular to linear-triangular, viscid (at least when young); branchlets resinous; (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes not as above; branchlets not resinous (S.A., N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Peduncles glabrous; heads white to pale yellow
Peduncles hairy
Heads 12–15-flowered; sepals free; phyllodes ascending to erect
Heads 3–6-flowered; sepals 1/4–1/2-united
Phyllodes patent, 2–3 mm wide
Phyllodes deflexed, 0.5–1 mm wide
Heads 4-flowered
Heads more than 4-flowered, pale yellow to white
Peduncles 5–10 mm long; heads pale yellow
Peduncles 1.5–3 mm long; heads golden
Stipules erect; petals glabrous, nerveless; heads 8–15-flowered
Stipules spreading; petals puberulous, 1-nerved; heads 5–8-flowered
Heads 2-flowered
Heads more than 2-flowered
Peduncles 3–8 mm long; heads white or cream; petals ±obscurely 3–7-nerved at apices; buds abruptly acute
Peduncles 0.5–3 mm long; petals 1-nerved
Heads golden; buds acute
Heads white to cream; buds attenuate
Heads 4–6-flowered
Heads more than 6-flowered
Petals 3–7-nerved at apices; heads creamy white; peduncles 7–12 mm long
Petals 1-nerved; other characters normally not combined as above
Peduncles 1–3 mm long; heads 4-flowered
Peduncles 3.5–10 mm long; heads 5- or 6-flowered
Calyx lobes and bracteoles long-acuminate or aristate; heads cream to pale yellow
Calyx lobes and bracteoles not as above; heads golden
Phyllodes broadest below middle, acuminate; heads cream to pale yellow
Phyllodes broadest above middle, ±obliquely truncate; heads golden
Phyllodes broadest near or below middle, acuminate; stipules often spinose
Phyllodes broadest above middle, ±obliquely truncate; stipules caducous or scarious to indurate (sometimes spinose in A. incrassata)
Petals obscurely 1-nerved; heads cream to pale yellow; branchlets not pruinose
Petals striate; heads golden; branchlets pruinose
Heads golden; bracteoles acuminate; peduncles appressed-puberulous to subglabrous; subshrub 15–30 cm high
Heads pale yellow; bracteoles not acuminate; peduncles glabrous; shrub 0.5–2.3 m high
Stipules usually persistent; phyllodes scarcely pungent, often ±patent with upper margin not contiguous with branchlet
Stipules caducous; phyllodes pungent, with upper margin erect and ±contiguous with branchlet
Branchlets and phyllodes with gland-tipped hairs; phyllodes small (3.5–7 × 1.2–2.5 mm) (northern W.A.
Characters not combined as above (hairs rarely gland-tipped)
Branchlets divaricate, striate-ribbed, green, somewhat spinose, glabrous; phyllodes few, 5–20 × 1–1.5 mm; heads c. 25-flowered; sepals free (W.A., N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 20–45 cm long, 1.5–2 (–3) mm wide; branchlets pruinose (NW W.A.)
Phyllode and branchlet characters not combined as above
Phyllodes (mature nodes) all or mostly fasciculate in groups of 2 or more (often on nodose branchlets which may grow out and bear non-fasciculate phyllodes)
Phyllodes all or mostly not fasciculate
Phyllodes mostly reflexed, 3–5 × c. 1 mm, thick, glabrous; peduncles 2.5–4 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (rarely some reflexed)
Phyllodes less then 4 mm long, glabrous
Phyllodes some or all > 4 mm long, hairy or glabrous (W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous; peduncles 2–3.5 mm long; shrub not resinous (SW W.A.)
Branchlets hairy; peduncles 5–10 mm long; shrub resinous (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes sharply pungent, narrowly linear, 10–50 × 1–3 mm, glabrous; funicle bright yellow and encircling seed
Phyllode characters not combined as above; funicle not encircling seed
Branchlets with conspicuous thorns (5–20 mm long) at many nodes, ±glabrous; phyllodes 10–20 mm long, ±glabrous; heads obloid
Branchlets without axillary thorns (but sometimes spinose at tips); other characters not combined as above
Sepals united, less than 1/2 length of petals; stipules often spinose
Sepals free or almost free, normally more than 1/2 length of petals
Branches with numerous, short, divaricate, spinose branchlets
Branches not as above
Phyllodes 7–20 × 0.5–3 mm, narrowly oblong to linear or linear-oblanceolate; stipules often spinose
Phyllodes 3–7 × 1–2 mm, cuneate-oblanceolate, thick; stipules not spinose
Phyllodes sharply pungent with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch
Phyllodes innocuous or with hard, rigid points (which do not readily piece the skin)
Phyllodes continuous with branchlets (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not continuous with branchlets, sessile or pulvinate
Heads sessile; phyllodes 10–30 mm long
Heads pedunculate
Peduncles hairy; branchlets hairy or glabrous; free portion of phyllodes 15–60 mm long
Peduncles and branchlets glabrous; free portion of phyllodes 2–10 (–20) mm long
Stipules ±spinose (sometimes only the hardened bases persisting at some nodes)
Stipules not at all spinose (often setaceous, sometimes caducous)
Phyllodes strongly 2-nerved on each face, linear and 1–2 mm wide (S.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with principal longitudinal nerve situated towards lower margin AND upper margin never 2-nerved and broader than the 1-nerved lower margin (W.A.)
Phyllodes nerveless or the principal nerve ±central AND/OR the upper margin 2-nerved, ±thickened and wider than the 1-nerved lower margin
Stipules 6–17 mm long; branchlets and phyllodes glabrous
Stipules 2–4 mm long AND/OR branchlets and phyllodes hairy
Branchlet ribs muricate-scabridulous; stipules recurved; flower buds, new shoots and peduncles red
Characters not combined as above
Petals striate, hairy (rarely glabrous); phyllodes 7–10 (–15) mm wide; pods striate, dark red-brown
Petals not striate (nerveless or 1-nerved); pods not as above
Phyllodes lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, acuminate; pods 8–10 mm wide, blackish; heads 17–20-flowered
Phyllodes and pods not as above
Heads 30–65-flowered; sepals free, c. 1/2 as long as petals
Heads 23–26-flowered; sepals united, less than 1/2 length of petals
Heads 7- or 8-flowered; phyllodes 4–10 × 1.5–2 mm, variably scabridulous (SW W.A.)
Heads more than 8-flowered; phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes erect, narrowly linear, 0.7–1.5 mm wide; branchlets glabrous (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes thick, nerveless, 4–10 × 1–2 mm; branchlets hairy (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above (phyllode nerves always evident)
Upper margin of phyllodes thick and 2-nerved (nerves extending from base ±to apex), wider than the 1-nerved lower margin (W.A.)
Upper margin of phyllodes 1-nerved (occasionally 2-nerved below middle), not broader than lower margin
Sepals 1/4–1/2-united; phyllodes 20–30 × 2–7 mm
Sepals free or almost free; phyllodes 4–25 × 1–4 mm
Branchlets not obviously ribbed; heads (12–) 20–30-flowered
Branchlets ribbed; heads 30–50-flowered
Phyllodes 10–25 × 10–30 mm, about as long as wide; peduncles 10–30 mm long; branchlets glabrous (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Phyllodes and branchlets not as above (W.A.)
Branchlets pruinose; stipules 5–12 mm long; phyllodes lanceolate, 30–60 × 4–10 mm, ±thin-textured
Characters not combined as above (branchlets normally not pruinose)
Phyllodes 20–30 × 2–7 mm, acuminate, ±glaucous, thick and rigid; branchlets glabrous
Characters not combined as above
Heads pale yellow; phyllodes oblong-oblanceolate to linear, 30–60 × 2–5 mm, l:w = 6–15; shrub or tree 3–7 m high
Heads golden; phyllode characters not combined as above; subshrubs or shrubs 0.2–2.5 m high
Heads less than 30-flowered; phyllodes 7–25 × 1–4 (–6) mm
Heads 30–100-flowered
Sepals united; phyllodes mostly cuneate or oblong-cuneate and broadest above the middle
Sepals free; phyllodes not as above
Branchlets normally densely hairy (rarely glabrous); phyllodes oblique and pungent at apex, usually narrowly oblong
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes acuminate, broadest at or below middle
Pods densely hairy, undulate; sepals 1/4–2/3-united
Pods glabrous; sepals ±free to base
Phyllodes 3–7 mm wide, inequilateral with lower margin straighter than the convex upper margin, not or scarcely puncticulate
Phyllodes 7–15 mm wide, symmetrical with both margins convex, puncticulate
Phyllodes 5–10 cm long, 2–3 mm wide, narrowly linear; inflorescences simple; heads 20–30-flowered; peduncles 4–12 mm long; funicle exarillate (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes less then 5 cm long and/or > 3 mm wide OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Branchlets glabrous, spinose or subspinose; stipules caducous; phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous, with lateral nerves absent or very obscure; inflorescences reduced racemes; peduncles 5–12 mm long (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads 12–21-flowered; phyllodes often with a prominent gland-angle on upper margin; branchlets not striate-ribbed
Heads 25–40-flowered; phyllodes without a gland-angle on upper margin; branchlets striate-ribbed
Branchlets glabrous, resinous-viscid, lenticellular; stipules not spinose, 0.5–1.5 mm long, embedded in resin; heads 50–90-flowered; sepals free (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes all or most strongly retrorse, sessile, linear, 15–25 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes patent to erect OR if retrorse (rare) then other characters not combined as above
Upper margin of phyllodes 2-nerved (nerves extending from base ±to apex), often thick and nerve-like, wider than the 1-nerved lower margin (SW W.A.)
Upper margin of phyllodes 1-nerved (occasionally 2-nerved in lower half to the gland), not broader than lower margin
Petals striate (best observed in buds)
Petals 1-nerved or nerveless
Phyllodes narrowly lanceolate, 6–15 mm long
Phyllodes ±linear, 10–30 mm long
Phyllodes 4–12 mm long; calyx 1/2–2/3 length of petals
Phyllodes 2–4 mm long OR if longer (rare, Southern Cross area) then calyx absent or less than 1/2 length of petals
Phyllodes 4–25 × 0.5–4 mm, not broadest above middle (linear-triangular, lanceolate, linear, narrowly oblong or narrowly elliptic), commonly tapered to apex and sometimes with a pronounced gland-angle on upper margin
Phyllodes some or all > 25 mm long or > 4 mm wide OR if not then other characters not combined as above (often broadest above middle and/or markedly asymmetric)
Bracteoles gradually or abruptly narrowed to a distinct, slender, acuminate point, exserted or not in buds; stipules persistent, 0.5–3 mm long, ±setaceous (not SW W.A. except A. auronitens)
Bracteoles obtuse, short-acute or absent
Funicle arillate; phyllodes obliquely narrowed at sometimes recurved apices; pulvinus short, yellow, basally dilated; pods thickly crustaceous to woody (SW W.A.)
Funicle exarillate; phyllodes ±sessile (eastern Aust.)
Peduncles 1.5–4 mm long; phyllodes narrowly linear to linear-triangular or narrowly triangular, without a pronounced gland angle on upper margin; heads not cream
Peduncles longer than 4 mm OR if not then phyllodes with a pronounced gland-angle along upper margin and/or heads cream
Heads bright lemon yellow, 8–18-flowered (Qld)
Heads golden, 20–30-flowered (N.S.W.)
Heads cream to pale yellow
Heads golden
Phyllodes linear-triangular, without a pronounced gland angle (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes normally inequilateral with a pronounced gland-angle on upper margin (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes lanceolate to ±narrowly triangular, 1.7–3 mm wide; peduncles stout; bracteoles exserted beyond flowers in mature buds (Qld)
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 0.5–1.5 mm wide
Bracteoles not or scarcely exserted beyond flowers in mature buds; peduncles slender (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Bracteoles exserted beyond flowers in mature buds; peduncles stout (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes thick, nerveless, 4–10 × 1–2 mm; stipules persistent; branchlets hairy (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Sepals united
Sepals free
Heads 5–7-flowered (SW W.A.)
Heads 10–23-flowered, golden
Heads golden, sessile
Heads cream coloured; peduncles 3–7 mm long
Phyllodes linear-triangular (broadest at sessile base, tapered to apex); branchlets glabrous; pods not coiled (W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above; branchlets often hairy
Phyllodes linear, c. 1 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes inequilaterally lanceolate to lanceolate-elliptic, > 1 mm wide
Phyllode midrib near lower margin; branchlets not spinose or pruinose (SW W.A., N.S.W., Qld)
Phyllode midrib ±central; branchlets somewhat spinose, pruinose at extremities (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes sessile
Phyllodes narrowed to a short, but distinct, pulvinus (SW W.A.)
Heads 30–40-flowered; penultimate branchlets with prominent lenticels and/or bark breaking into ±rectangular flakes (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Heads 13–23-flowered; penultimate branchlets not as above (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 0.6–2 mm wide, commonly at least some reflexed; branchlets ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent), minutely woolly to appressed-pubescent
Phyllodes 2–4 mm wide, 7–20 mm long, mostly ascending to erect; branchlets not spinose, glabrous or pubescent to villous
Phyllodes 7–25 mm long, narrowly linear
Phyllodes 4–7.5 mm long, narrowly elliptic to narrowly oblong
Stipules caducous; branchlets glabrous; inflorescences 2–5-headed racemes
Stipules subpersistent; branchlets hairy, glabrescent; inflorescences simple or 1- or 2-headed racemes
Phyllodes broadest above middle and normally cuneate to oblong-cuneate, glabrous; heads 23–26-flowered; sepals united, 1/4–1/3 length of petals (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Main longitudinal nerve of phyllodes situated near lower margin (commonly with one or more minor nerves diverging from the main nerve or pulvinus and intersecting upper margin); sepals mostly united
Main nerve of phyllodes ±central (lateral nerves commonly absent or obscure)
Petals striate; stipules 2–4 mm long (SW W.A.)
Petals not striate; stipules 0.5–2 mm long or caducous
Phyllodes ±gradually narrowed to long, straight, sharply pungent points, (4–20 mm long)
Phyllodes ±abruptly narrowed to rather short, straight or recurved, sometimes scarcely pungent points, (2–15 × 1.5–7 mm with l:w 1–3.5); branchlets commonly spinose
Phyllodes 1.5–4 mm wide, l:w = 2–5 (–14); pods strongly curved to openly coiled; branchlets not spinose (SW W.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 3–10 mm wide, l:w < 2; branchlets commonly spinose (SW W.A.)
Branchlets hairy; phyllodes green; pods tightly coiled
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes ±glaucous; pods not coiled, undulate
Bracteoles absent; pods curved to openly once-coiled (SW W.A.)
Bracteoles present
Pods openly 1–11/2-coiled; branchlets spinose; phyllodes with l:w = 1.5–3.5 (SW W.A.)
Pods tightly and somewhat irregularly coiled; phyllodes with l:w = 1–2
Peduncles normally glabrous (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles hairy (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–6 × 2–4 mm, obtriangular to obdeltate (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Heads white, cream or pale yellow
Heads golden (SW W.A., S.A.)
Phyllodes lanceolate to linear-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 1.5–4 mm wide, with main nerve running into apical point (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes not as above (main nerve intersecting margin below apical point)
Phyllodes obtriangular, with upper margin prominently angled well above middle; calyx absent (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not obtriangular (broadest below, near or just above middle), with upper margin conspicuously rounded
Calyx present; phyllodes glabrous; pods 10–15 mm wide (Qld)
Calyx absent; phyllodes pubescent or glabrous; pods 3.5–5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Sepals variably united for 1/4–2/3 their length; stipules 2–7 mm long; phyllodes undulate, ±thin-textured, green; heads 40–100-flowered (W.A.)
Sepals free or almost free; other characters not combined as above (phyllodes often grey-green to glaucous)
Branchlets hairy (hairs often minute and confined to upper branchlets); phyllodes usually 8–25 mm long and 5–17 mm wide; pods 2–3 mm wide, curved to coiled (W.A., S.A.)
Branchlets glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 7–17 × 2–5 mm
Phyllodes longer and/or wider than above
Petals with scattered, appressed, brown to black hairs; stipules caducous; racemes enclosed by conspicuous bracts when young
Petals glabrous; stipules persistent (with at least the thickened bases remaining), 1.5–4 mm long; racemes (when present) not enclosed by bracts
Phyllodes dimorphic (broadest at base of branches), wrinkled when dry; heads 36–53-flowered
Characters not combined as above
Branchlets ending in hard, rigid, ±spinose points (sharply or coarsely pungent)
Branchlets not as above
Phyllodes with l:w = 4–20, commonly linear to narrowly oblong
Phyllodes with l:w < 4, commonly elliptic, ovate or obtriangular (rarely narrowly oblong, never linear)
Phyllodes mostly reflexed, 3–5 × c. 1 mm, thick; peduncles 2.5–4 mm long; heads c. 15-flowered (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not reflexed; other characters not combined as above
Heads 6–10-flowered (SW W.A.)
Heads 12–30-flowered
Terminal branchlets ribless or obscurely ribbed; bracteoles present; phyllodes < 1 mm wide
Terminal branchlets rather obviously ribbed; bracteoles absent or few; phyllodes 1–2.5 mm wide
Branchlets green
Branchlets ±pruinose
Sepals free (SW W.A.)
Sepals united
Phyllodes 3–8 × 0.5–1 mm; terminal branchlets divided into a few, short, radiating spines
Phyllodes mostly 10–20 × 1.5–4 mm; terminal branchlets undivided
Phyllodes 20–40 mm long, distant and few; branchlets obscurely ribbed; heads cream (W.A.)
Phyllodes < 20 mm long OR if not then branchlets prominently ribbed and heads golden
Branchlets rather prominently ribbed and pruinose (SW W.A.)
Branchlets ribless or finely ribbed, pruinose or not (SW W.A. and central and eastern Aust.)
Bracteoles broad and ±evident in buds; phyllodes with midrib clearly raised
Bracteoles absent or few and insignificant; phyllodes with midrib scarcely raised
Pods twisted or coiled, 2–3 mm wide; phyllodes cuneate to obtriangular (broadest near apex), sometimes ±linear (SW W.A. to S.A., SE N.S.W., NE Vic.)
Pod and phyllode characters not combined as above (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes grey-green to glaucous, obliquely oblong to oblong-elliptic or oblong-oblanceolate; seeds 3.5–4 mm long
Phyllodes green, not glaucous, narrowly oblong to linear; seeds 2–2.5 mm long (not seen in A. basedowii)
Branchlets white by a conspicuous, flaking epidermis; peduncles 8–12 mm long; heads commonly 25–35-flowered (central Aust. in W.A., N.T.
Branchlets not as above; peduncles 5–10 mm long; heads 20–25-flowered (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes triangular to obtriangular or oblanceolate
Phyllodes ovate to elliptic or ±circular, sometimes ±oblong
Branchlets glabrous AND phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous and 2–3 mm wide (W.A.)
Branchlets hairy OR if glabrous then phyllode characters not combined as above
Pods submoniliform and openly 1–11/2-coiled; phyllodes 3–11 × 1.5–5 mm with l:w = 1.5–3.5 (SW W.A.)
Pods tightly and somewhat irregularly coiled
Phyllodes with l:w = 2–6 (SW W.A. to S.A., SE N.S.W., NE Vic.)
Phyllodes with l:w = 1–2
Peduncles normally glabrous (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles hairy (SW W.A.)
Heads obloid; phyllodes inequilateral with ±straight upper margin and convex lower margin, 3.5–7 × 1.5–2.5 mm; peduncles 3–4 mm long (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above (heads globular or, in A. lullfitziorum, sometimes shortly obloid)
Phyllodes 10–20 × 5–10 mm; branches not divided into short, rigid, divaricate branchlets; heads c. 25-flowered (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes shorter and/or narrower than above; branches divided into numerous, short, rigid, divaricate branchlets; heads 9–22-flowered
Branchlets hirtellous with short, patent hairs, white-waxy between prominent ribs
Branchlets glabrous OR if hairy then not white-waxy between prominent ribs
Bracteoles absent; pods 3–3.5 mm wide, strongly curved to openly coiled; phyllodes commonly slightly undulate (SW W.A.)
Bracteoles present at base of flowers, 0.5–1 mm long; pods not as above; phyllodes not undulate
Sepals united into a very short cup; pods 7–10 mm wide (SW W.A. to S.A.)
Sepals free; pods 2 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes horizontally flattened, 3–25 × 0.5–7 mm, commonly fleshy (thus wrinkled when dry) and with obscure nerves; gland (when present) on upper surface of phyllode, very small (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes vertically flattened; gland (when present) on upper margin of phyllode
Phyllodes 4–8 × 1 mm, linear to narrowly oblong, with apex shallowly recurved to uncinate and abruptly narrowed to a distinct, slender mucro; branchlets pubescent; sepals united
Characters not combined as above (phyllode apices not recurved or with slender mucro)
Sepals united into ±truncate calyx; phyllodes narrowly oblong-oblanceolate, rounded-obtuse, fleshy (wrinkled when dry), green; heads subdensely 9–15-flowered
Sepals free OR if to 1/2-united (A. leptospermoides) then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes loosely villous at least when young, linear to narrowly oblong, 5–25 × 0.5–1.5 mm, green, ±nerveless; branchlets loosely villous to appressed-pilose
Characters not combined as above
Heads 20–35-flowered; stipules (evident on new shoots) connate, c. 2 mm long; heads axillary (not in racemes), ebracteate at base; phyllodes glaucous
Heads 6–20-flowered; stipules not as above; bract (small or large) present at base of peduncles
Inflorescences comprising 2-headed racemes with distinct axis 0.5–2 mm long; peduncles 6–15 mm long, with basal bract ovate and c. 0.5 mm long; phyllodes green, 8–17 mm long
Inflorescences simple or if racemose the axis rudimentary (not more than 0.5 mm long); basal peduncular bract rostriform, 1.5–2.5 mm long; phyllodes commonly glaucous
Heads 13–15-flowered; phyllodes 8–15 mm long, apiculate
Heads 7–10-flowered; phyllodes 4–10 mm long, obtuse
Phyllodes asperulous by rigid, spreading hairs (some gland-tipped), 10–30 × 2–4 mm; gland-tipped hairs common on branchlets, peduncles and pods (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Characters not as above (gland-tipped hairs very rare)
Phyllodes 13–23 cm × 1.5–3.5 mm; branchlets resinous-viscid; peduncles 8–11 mm long, glabrous; sepals free (Qld)
Phyllodes shorter and/or wider than above OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes clearly continuous with branchlets, narrowly linear, 15–60 × 1–2 mm (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not continuous with branchlets OR if partially so then other characters not as above
Phyllodes with minor nerves forming a close, longitudinal or oblique reticulum, 3.5–14 cm long, 3–15 mm wide, midrib central or near upper margin, occasionally 2-nerved on each face; peduncles with persistent basal bract
Characters not combined as above (phyllodes not reticulate OR if so then openly so AND/OR peduncles ebracteate at base)
Phyllodes with midrib central, and upper margin 1-nerved (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes with midrib near lower margin (occasion-ally central), and upper margin 2-nerved (SW W.A.)
Heads obloid; new shoots and peduncles densely hairy; phyllodes 20–90 × 1–4 mm, linear to narrowly oblong-oblanceolate (SW W.A.)
Heads globular OR if obloid then other characters not combined as above
Sepals free AND branchlets, phyllodes and heads not obviously resinous or viscid
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length AND/OR branchlets, phyllodes or heads ±obviously resinous or viscid
Phyllodes with 2 main longitudinal nerves on each face AND glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes nerveless or with 1 main longitudinal nerve on each face OR if 2-nerved (rare) then hairy
Phyllodes 8–16 × 1–2 mm
Phyllodes longer and/or wider than above
Phyllodes with upper margin 1-nerved
Phyllodes with upper margin 2-nerved for 1/4–1/2 their length, the nerves coalescing near the gland (view phyllode edge-on)
Pods (8–) 10–20 mm wide; phyllodes 4–15 cm long, with lateral nerves openly anastomosing; inflorescences short racemes, sometimes appearing as axillary clusters; trees (Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 7–20 (–35) mm wide; basal gland < 1 mm long; seeds ±longitudinal
Phyllodes 3–8 mm wide; basal gland 1–2 mm long; seeds transverse
Phyllodes densely sericeous with silvery blue-grey hairs covering entire surface (greenish yellow on new shoots), oblanceolate, 2.5–5 (–6) cm long (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Stipules persistent, setaceous, recurved; phyllodes 5–17 mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide, glabrous; branchlets hairy (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes ±nerveless; stipules 1.5–3 mm long
Phyllodes prominently nerved; stipules 5–7 mm long
Phyllodes with midrib close to upper margin, 9–17 × 1–2.5 mm, ±linear; branchlets sparsely to densely hairy; stipules caducous (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (midrib, when present, usually central or sometimes situated towards lower margin)
Phyllodes with a small gland at their obliquely truncate, retuse or obtuse apices; inflorescences rudimentary 1-headed racemes 0.5–1 (–3.5) mm long; peduncles 3–20 mm long (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above (phyllodes normally eglandular at apex)
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 20–90 × 1–2.5 mm, with midrib ±absent; heads 34–58-flowered (S.A.)
Phyllodes normally shorter and/or broader than above, with midrib present (often not prominent); heads 10–22-flowered
Gland (small) present on upper margin of all or most phyllodes near or below their centre (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Gland absent from lower half of phyllodes (rarely present on a few phyllodes); phyllodes 10–25 (–38) mm long (S.A.)
Phyllodes 4–15 (–25) × 2–8 mm with l:w = 1–5, hairy or glabrous; branchlets hairy or glabrous
Phyllodes mostly 20–55 × 4–10 mm with l:w = 4–10, glabrous; branchlets glabrous
Phyllodes 1–2 (–3) mm wide, l:w = 5–10, erect
Phyllodes 2–6 mm wide, l:w = 3–8, mostly inclined to ascending
Petals with ±sparse, brown to black, appressed hairs; racemes enclosed when young by conspicuous bracts; phyllodes 2–7 cm long (SW W.A.)
Petals glabrous or white-hairy; racemes (when present) not enclosed by bracts when young OR if so then phyllodes < 2 cm long
Phyllodes linear or linear-oblanceolate
Phyllodes not linear or linear-lanceolate
Phyllodes fleshy, coarsely wrinkled when dry, 10–45 mm long, 2–3 mm wide; plants glabrous (S.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 5–25 mm long AND 1–3 mm wide, straight to shallowly incurved
Phyllodes some or all > 25 mm long AND/OR > 3 mm wide or shallowly recurved
Branchlets, phyllodes AND peduncles glabrous
Branchlets, phyllodes OR peduncles hairy to some degree
Heads 40–70-flowered; phyllodes subfleshy, finely but obviously wrinkled when dry, with nerves absent or obscure (arid zone: W.A.)
Heads less than 40-flowered; phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 7–15 × 1–1.5 mm, glaucous at least when young, crowded, with midrib ±absent; pods 10–12 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; pods 2–4.5 mm wide
Phyllodes 2 mm or more wide, with midrib not prom-inent; stipules ±persistent, 1.5–3 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide, with prominent midrib; stipules caducous or persistent and 3–5 mm long (SW W.A. to western S.A.)
Phyllodes 5–12 × 1–1.6 mm, crowded; branchlets sparsely to densely hairy; pods 10–15 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles hairy
Peduncles glabrous (SW W.A. with A. mutabilis extending to western S.A.)
Heads 13–15-flowered; branchlet and peduncle hairs white (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads 30–45-flowered; branchlets and peduncles pubescent to villous with golden or white hairs (SW W.A.)
Branchlets densely pilose to pubescent by ±long, straight, patent hairs; phyllodes 0.7–1 (–1.5) mm wide, normally loosely hairy when young
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes appressed-hairy at least when young
Phyllodes glabrous
Phyllodes with upper and lower margins 1-nerved
Phyllodes with upper margin 2-nerved and slightly broader than the 1-nerved lower margin
Phyllodes 2 mm or more wide, with midrib not prominent; stipules ±persistent, 1.5–3 mm long
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide, with prominent midrib; stipules caducous or persistent and 3–5 mm long (SW W.A. to western S.A.)
Phyllodes some or all > 70 mm long
Phyllodes to 70 mm long
Phyllodes shortly acuminate with delicate, curved points; funicle 1/2 to wholly encircling seed; inflorescences (1–) 2–4 (–13)-headed racemes (S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes rounded-obtuse to obtuse-mucronulate OR if acuminate then other characters not combined as above (funicle not encircling seed)
Phyllodes glaucous to subglaucous, 3–8 mm wide, oblanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, thickly coriaceous; pods 12–14 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (phyllodes green); pods 3–8 mm wide
Heads cream, 60–80-flowered (NW W.A.)
Heads golden, 18–40-flowered
Peduncles with a bract near or above middle (raised scar remaining when bract falls); stipules or their indurate bases persistent (SW W.A.)
Peduncles without a bract near or above middle; stipules early caducous
Phyllodes pulvinate, easily detached from branchlets, 2–5 mm wide, straight to shallowly curved
Phyllodes sessile, not easily separated from branchlets, 1–3 mm wide, curved to sinuous
Phyllode gland 2–8 mm above pulvinus; peduncles with a small, persistent basal bract (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllode gland 10 mm or more above pulvinus; peduncles with basal bract early caducous (SW W.A.)
Heads cream; phyllodes strongly and acutely angled by raised nerves (SW W.A.)
Heads golden; phyllodes not as above
Stipules persistent (often only bases remaining in A. halliana)
Stipules early caducous
Peduncles surrounded at base by a dense tuft of hairs; stipules 4–8 mm long, thick; phyllodes 4–15 mm wide, thickly coriaceous, wrinkled when dry (SW W.A.)
Peduncles glabrous at base; other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with 2-nerved upper margin (view phyllode edge-on), the nerves coalescing above the gland normally in the lower 1/3–1/2 of the phyllode or remaining free to apex (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with 1-nerved upper margin (or if 2-nerved then the nerves coalescing close to the base, at or below the gland)
Phyllodes 2–3.5 mm wide, obtuse and with an inconspicuous, blunt mucro (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 4–15 mm wide, distinctly mucronate, acute to obtuse (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes with 2-nerved upper margin (view phyllode edge-on), the nerves coalescing above the gland normally in the lower 1/3–1/2 of the phyllode or remaining free to apex (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with 1-nerved upper margin (or if 2-nerved then nerves coalescing close to base, at or below gland)
Phyllodes and branchlets densely puberulous at least when young
Phyllodes glabrous (ignore pulvinus); branchlets glabrous except sometimes appressed-hairy mainly in phyllode axils
Branchlets hairy; peduncles glabrous; phyllodes often shallowly recurved; aril bright orange (SW W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous OR if hairy then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes acute or obtuse, gradually or abruptly narrowed to delicate, curved to uncinate points (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes obtuse, mucro (if present) straight and erect
Peduncles, raceme axes and new shoots glabrous (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles, raceme axes and new shoots hairy to some degree (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes 3–8 mm wide, linear-oblanceolate; heads 35–50-flowered; pods 12–14 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes 2–3 mm wide, linear; heads 18–30-flowered; pods 3–4 mm wide
Phyllode gland 2–8 mm above pulvinus; peduncles with a small, persistent basal bract (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllode gland 10 mm or more above pulvinus; peduncles with basal bract early caducous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 2.5–4 × 2.2–4 mm, thick, with midrib strongly raised when dry (SW W.A.)
Phyllode longer and/or wider than above
Branchlets hairy at least towards apices (hairs sometimes sparse or minute, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlet hairs straight and appressed
Branchlet hairs ±patent AND/OR crisped or curved
Phyllodes with l:w < 4
Phyllodes some or all with l:w = 4–12
Peduncles hairy; phyllodes with a much-reduced mucro; new shoots sometimes golden (S.A., Vic.)
Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes with distinct mucro (W.A., S.A.)
Phyllodes with 2-nerved upper margin (view phyllode edge-on), the nerves coalescing above the gland normally in the lower 1/3–1/2 of the phyllode (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with 1-nerved upper margin (or if 2-nerved then nerves coalescing close to base, at or below gland)
Phyllodes obtuse and with an inconspicuous, blunt mucro (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes acute OR if obtuse then with a distinct, short, hard mucro
Branchlets ±sparsely hairy; phyllodes with l:w = 5–15, gland 1–4 mm above pulvinus
Branchlets densely hairy at least when young; phyllodes with l:w = (3–) 4–6, gland at distal end of pulvinus
Phyllodes 10–20 × 1–4 mm, glabrous, straight (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes longer and/or wider than above, appressed-hairy or glabrous, commonly shallowly recurved or incurved
Phyllodes with 1 gland (not on projection), glabrous or sparsely hairy when young; aril creamy white (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes with 1–3 glands (often on small projections), densely hairy when young; aril bright orange (SW W.A.)
Heads mauve-pink; phyllodes 15–35 × 4–6 mm, mucronate, puberulous (hairs often confined to margins with age); ±prostrate shrub (Qld)
Heads golden
Phyllode margins minutely tuberculate and commonly undulate (SW W.A.)
Phyllode margins neither tuberculate nor obviously undulate
Phyllodes puncticulate by brown to black, circular, resin-papillae when young, l:w = 4–10
Phyllodes not puncticulate, l:w = 1.5–3
Phyllodes with l:w = 1–4
Phyllodes some or all with l:w > 4
Stipules spinose; peduncles 15–30 mm long (W.A.)
Stipules not spinose
Peduncles hairy (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles glabrous (SW W.A. except A. merrallii extending to S.A.)
Pods 14–18 mm wide; phyllodes 10–20 mm wide, densely hairy; peduncles 10–30 mm long, stout (S.A.)
Pods 4–8 mm wide; phyllodes 4–13 mm wide, sparsely to densely hairy; peduncles 5–15 mm long, slender (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes obtuse (with an inconspicuous, blunt mucro), narrowly oblong to oblong-elliptic, 3–5 mm wide
Phyllodes obtuse or acute (the mucro rigid but ±slender and distinct but short), other characters normally not combined as above
Phyllodes 2–5 mm wide, mostly narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, with midrib slightly excentric; (seeds not seen)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; seed aril bright orange or yellow
Branchlet hairs normally straight to slightly curved; gland on lower half of phyllode, not raised; pods glabrous or subglabrous
Branchlet hairs crisped; gland near or above middle of phyllode, sometimes slightly raised; pods normally lanate-tomentose
Peduncles hairy OR if glabrous then phyllodes < 2 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles glabrous AND phyllodes some or all at least 2 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 5–12 mm long, ±nerveless but often finely longitudinally wrinkled; peduncles ebracteate at base
Phyllodes 15–25 mm long, with midrib fine but evident; peduncles with a persistent basal bract
Phyllodes obtuse (mucro inconspicuous and blunt), narrowly oblong to oblong-elliptic
Phyllodes acute OR if obtuse then with a distinct, short, hard mucro
Phyllodes 1–2 cm long, straight, with midrib slightly excentric; gland inconspicuous, to 1 mm above pulvinus
Phyllodes 2–6 cm long, often shallowly recurved, with ±central midrib; glands 1–3 (often on slight projections), the lowermost 5–10 mm above pulvinus
Phyllode 5–10 × 1–2.5 mm; heads 9–11-flowered (W.A.)
Phyllodes longer and/or wider than above; heads more than 11-flowered
Phyllodes narrowly oblong, with midrib absent or rather obscure, obtuse, with mucro absent or much-reduced (W.A.)
Phyllodes not narrowly oblong OR if so then midrib prominent and/or mucro distinct
Phyllodes subfleshy, wrinkled when dry; heads 40–70-flowered; stipules spinose, caducous; pods 8–12 mm wide (arid zone)
Phyllodes coriaceous, ±smooth; heads less than 40-flowered; stipules not spinose; pods 3–4.5 mm wide (not arid zone)
Stipules caducous; phyllodes 4–7 mm wide, ±glaucous
Stipules persistent, 1.5–3 mm long; phyllodes 2–3.5 mm wide, green
Heads cream to pale lemon yellow; branchlets pruinose; phyllodes retuse to subretuse, 10–25 (–33) mm wide (W.A.)
Heads golden; other characters not combined as above
Branchlets minutely verruculose at least at extremities, not pruinose; phyllodes slightly to prominently undulate, 10–20 × 5–10 mm, l:w = 1.5–3; diffuse shrub with branches often prostrate (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Stipules persistent to subpersistent (sometimes only the thickened bases persisting), often spinose (W.A., except A. halliana)
Stipules early caducous
Phyllodes 10–20 × 2–5 mm, normally acute, mucronate by short, rigid points
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Peduncles surrounded at base by a dense tuft of hairs; phyllodes oblanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, thickly coriaceous, wrinkled when dry; stipules erect, 4–8 mm long
Peduncles glabrous at base; other characters not combined as above
Stipules spinose; branchlets commonly pruinose; phyllodes thinly coriaceous
Stipules not spinose; phyllodes often thickly coriaceous
Phyllodes 3–6 cm long, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate
Phyllodes 1–3 cm long, shape not as above
Pods straight; phyllodes normally 3–8 mm wide and l:w = 3–7, with midrib obscure or absent; erect shrub or tree
Pods curved; phyllodes 7–15 mm wide, l:w = 1.2–3, with ±prominent midrib; shrub ±prostrate
Phyllodes very glaucous, with thick yellow or greenish yellow margins; stipules 3–4 mm long
Phyllodes green or grey-green; stipules 0.5–3 mm long
Phyllodes with upper margin 2-nerved (view phyllode edge-on), the nerves coalescing above the gland normally in the lower 1/3–1/2 of the phyllode (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with upper margin 1-nerved OR if 2-nerved then the nerves coalescing close to the base below the gland (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 7–17 × 2–5 mm, narrowly oblong to oblong-oblanceolate, with mucro distinct, excentric, rigid and ±pungent (W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes thickly coriaceous and/or upper margin 2-nerved to about the middle (view phyllode edge-on), with lateral nerves ±absent
Phyllodes thinly coriaceous or subfleshy, with upper margin 1-nerved and lateral nerves present or absent
Phyllodes 3–5 mm wide, l:w = (3–) 5–14; gland 5–15 mm above pulvinus; branchlets not pruinose; peduncles 3–10 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Branchlets variably pruinose; seed aril white (SW W.A.)
Branchlets normally not pruinose; seed aril bright yellow or orange (SW W.A. to S.A.)
Phyllodes subfleshy, finely wrinkled when dry, with midrib and lateral nerves obscure or absent; gland 0–2 mm above pulvinus (arid zone: W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above (not arid zone)
Branchlets pruinose; phyllodes 15–40 mm long; inflorescences mostly simple (SW W.A.)
Branchlets not pruinose; phyllodes 10–20 mm long; inflorescences short racemes (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Stipules spinose, 4–12 mm long; heads 30–50-flowered (all States except N.T., introduced in Tas.
Stipules not as above
Phyllodes 2–5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, thick, nerveless, crowded, oblong to cuneate, ascending to erect; glabrous, resinous shrubs (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Stipules foliaceous, 2–7 mm long; phyllodes shallowly sigmoid, mostly 7–16 × 1.5–3 mm, hairy; heads 27–33-flowered (SW W.A.)
Stipules not foliaceous
Phyllodes 1–4 mm wide AND l:w 5 or more
Phyllodes some or all > 4 mm wide OR if not then l:w < 5
Phyllodes with 1 clearly excentric longitudinal nerve on each face (situated close to upper margin) AND 9–20 × 0.7–2.5 mm; peduncles with persistent basal bract
Phyllode characters not combined as above; peduncles with or without a basal bract
Branchlets appressed-hairy between the prominently raised resin-ribs; phyllodes normally kinked or bent upwards, with midrib prominently raised (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets and phyllodes not as above (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 9–17 cm long; peduncles 2–4 cm long, arranged in false terminal racemes; heads 40–55-flowered; viscid, spindly shrubs (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Stipules 2–6 mm long, linear to setaceous (SW W.A.)
Stipules caducous or < 2 mm long
Glabrous, ±viscid shrub, 1–3 (–5) m high; phyllodes linear, 10–30 × 1–1.5 mm
Hairy, non-viscid, prostrate or low subshrub to 0.5 m high; phyllodes not as above, ±undulate
Phyllodes punctate by shallow, circular resinous pits (observe carefully at ×10 mag.) (not W.A., N.T. or Tas.)
Phyllodes not resinous-punctate as above (sometimes puncticulate by non-resinous stomata)
Heads 10–20-flowered; phyllode margins ±appressed-puberulous
Heads 20–60-flowered; phyllode margins glabrous or appressed-puberulous
Phyllodes 5–10 cm long, narrowly linear to linear-elliptic (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 1.5–2.5 (–3.5) cm long, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate (Vic.)
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face
Phyllodes 2-nerved on each face (the second nerve sometimes indistinct)
Branchlets prominently resin-ribbed and glabrous; heads 30–45-flowered (N.S.W., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above (Vic.)
Branchlets ±appressed-puberulous to subglabrous; phyllodes with minor nerves few and forming an often obscure, longitudinal reticulum (S.A., SE Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets glabrous; phyllodes with minor nerves absent or if present then not as above (S.A., SE Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Phyllodes 5–20 mm long
Phyllodes some or all > 20 mm long
Phyllodes with 2 longitudinal nerves on each face AND peduncles with a small, persistent bract at base
Phyllodes nerveless or 1-nerved on each face OR if 2-nerved (sometimes in A. johnsonii) then peduncles ebracteate at base
Peduncles densely light golden appressed-puberulous; phyllodes 1–4 mm wide, with minor nerves absent or if present then not anastomosing (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles glabrous or white-puberulous
Phyllodes 2 mm or more wide, with minor nerves sparingly and longitudinally anastomosing; peduncles puberulous or glabrous (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 0.5–1 (–1.5) mm wide, with minor nerves absent; peduncles glabrous (S.A.)
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlets hairy, at least towards apices (observe at ×10 mag.)
Peduncles 2–3 mm long; heads 8- or 9-flowered (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 4–18 mm long; heads 10–35-flowered
Phyllodes glaucous (at least when young); heads in 1 (or 2)-headed racemes (raceme axis 0.5–1 mm long), with bract persistent at base (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not glaucous; heads not in racemes, ebracteate at base (not SW W.A.)
Heads 10–20-flowered; pods woody, ±straight, narrowed at base, opening elastically from apex (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Heads 20–35-flowered; pods not as above
Sepals united for not more than 1/2 their length (N.T.)
Sepals united for more than 1/2 their length (Qld)
Phyllodes rounded at apex; mucro absent or rudimentary
Phyllodes narrowed to a distinct, short mucro
Phyllodes gradually narrowed to a short, distinct pulvinus, erect; pods 10–12 mm wide
Phyllodes abruptly narrowed to ±sessile base, patent to inclined; pods 5–6 mm wide
Heads pale yellow to cream, 11–17-flowered; inflorescences mostly 1–3-headed racemes with axes 0.5–3 mm long; prostrate shrub (SW W.A.)
Heads golden to bright yellow; inflorescences simple; erect shrubs (not SW W.A.)
Heads less than 20-flowered; peduncle hairy, with a persistent, small basal bract (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads 20–38-flowered; peduncle ebracteate at base
Pods 3–5 mm wide; seeds longitudinal; phyllodes often > 15 mm long, glabrous or subglabrous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Pods 8–15 mm wide; seeds transverse; phyllodes often hairy to some degree
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide, with lower and upper margins of equal width
Phyllodes 0.6–1 mm wide, with lower margin clearly broader than upper margin (view edge-on)
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 8–16 × 0.6–1 mm
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 5–12 × 1–1.6 mm (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles hairy (N.S.W.)
Peduncles glabrous (Qld)
Phyllodes glabrous or with scattered, ±spreading, short hairs; heads 20–25-flowered
Phyllodes with rather long, fine, weak, ±appressed hairs; heads 27–38-flowered
Pods woody, opening elastically from apex; seeds transverse to oblique in pods; heads 10–20-flowered (northern Aust., N of 17ºS)
Pods not as above (southern and eastern Aust., sometimes arid zone: S of 17ºS)
Calyx divided almost to base (N.T.)
Calyx shortly divided (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Heads sessile; phyllodes linear, 40–45 × 1.3–1.6 mm; branchlets sericeous between ribs (SW W.A.)
Heads on peduncles at least 2 mm long
Heads 8- or 9-flowered, with peduncles 2–3 mm long; phyllodes narrowly linear, 20–50 × 0.7–1.4 mm (SW W.A.)
Heads more than 10-flowered, with peduncles normally > 3 mm long
Heads axillary (not in racemes) AND peduncles ebracteate at base (be careful not to interpret stipules as basal peduncular bracts); plants resinous and/or viscid to some degree (Qld
Characters not combined as above (heads in short racemes OR if axillary then with a small, persistent basal bract and/or plants not resinous)
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide AND not more than 5 cm long; branchlets hairy or glabrous
Phyllodes > 2 mm wide OR if narrower then > 5 cm long; branchlets glabrous
Phyllodes with lower margin clearly broader than upper margin (view edge-on) (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes with margins of equal width
Branchlets and peduncles glabrous; phyllodes with small gland 1–7 mm above pulvinus (Qld)
Branchlets and peduncles hairy or glabrous; phyllodes with gland absent or < 1 mm above pulvinus (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide, flat
Phyllodes 0.5–1 mm wide, subterete to flat
Heads 30–60-flowered; peduncles 6–30 mm long; pods c. 10 mm wide with transverse to oblique seeds (W.A., N.T.)
Heads 20–30-flowered; peduncles 3–12 mm long; pods 3–8 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Spindly, open shrub with 1 or 2 main stems from base; phyllodes 2.5–6 cm long, 3–6 mm wide, with l:w = 7–13 (W.A., N.T.)
Bushy shrub normally with several main stems from base; phyllodes 6–10 cm long, 1–3.5 mm wide, with l:w = 20–100 (W.A.)
Phyllodes 6–10 cm long with l:w = 30–40; peduncles 3–5 mm long (Qld)
Phyllodes < 6 cm long OR if longer than other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with l:w = 4–14, and margins sparsely tuberculate; pods (3–) 5–8 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes with l:w = 15–25, and margins not tuberculate; pods 3.5 mm wide (Qld)
Phyllodes 2-nerved on each face; plants resinous to some degree
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face; plants resinous or not
Phyllodes 5–10 cm long, c. 1 mm wide (S.A.)
Phyllodes < 5 cm long, not filiform
Peduncles densely light golden appressed-puberulous; phyllodes 1–4 mm wide, with minor nerves absent or if present then not anastomosing (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles glabrous or white-puberulous
Phyllodes 2 mm or more wide, with minor nerves sparingly and longitudinally anastomosing; peduncles puberulous or glabrous (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 0.5–1 (–1.5) mm wide, with minor nerves absent; peduncles glabrous (S.A.)
Peduncles with short, patent hairs; subshrub 0.4–0.7 m high with slender, glabrous stems (SW W.A.)
Peduncles glabrous or appressed-hairy OR if hairs patent then branchlets hairy
Peduncles 1 or 2 arising directly from within axils of phyllodes
Heads all or mostly in 1–3-headed, short but clearly discernible racemes
Branchlets and peduncles glabrous; phyllodes 20–40 mm long, 0.7–1.5 mm wide (S.A.)
Branchlets and peduncles hairy; phyllodes 15–25 mm long, 2–3 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllode midrib prominent and resinous; raceme axes and peduncles resinous and with dense, white appressed hairs covering entire surface (SW W.A.)
Phyllode midrib obscure and/or not resinous; raceme axes and peduncles glabrous or if appressed-hairy then not resinous
Branchlets hairy; heads pale yellow to cream, 11–17-flowered; peduncles 10–20 mm long; shrubs prostrate (SW W.A.)
Branchlets glabrous OR if hairy then other characters not combined as above (heads golden, shrubs erect)
Phyllodes rounded-obtuse; raceme axes with persistent bract scars at base; peduncles glabrous; calyx ±truncate (W.A., S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes normally acute to short-acuminate with delicate, curved to uncinate points; raceme axes ebracteate at base; calyx dissected
Peduncles, raceme axes and new shoots glabrous (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles, raceme axes and new shoots hairy to some degree (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes 15–25 cm × 6–14 mm AND branchlets pruinose (NW W.A.)
Phyllodes < 15 cm long OR if not then branchlets not pruinose
Seeds oblique in pods; pods ±woody, opening elastically from apex and normally narrowed at base; phyllode obscurely nerved, with surface commonly finely longitudinally wrinkled when young (NW
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 3–6 (–9) × 1.5–3 (–4) mm, with mucro ±setose; bracteoles acuminate (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes larger than above OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes (4–) 7–20 (–35) mm long, (1–) 1.5–3 (–5) mm wide, l:w = (2–) 4–6 (–25), rather spreading, shallowly to prominently recurved; heads 10–23-flowered, small (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes not as above, heads more than 20-flowered, or if not, the flower buds large
Heads 7–25-flowered; buds large and widely spreading; petals striate; phyllode mucro knob-like to conical and erect (W.A., N.T.)
Heads more than 20-flowered; buds not widely spreading; petals with midrib; phyllode mucro partially or wholly inflexed-appressed to phyllode margin, at least on young phyllodes
Phyllodes mostly > 2 cm long; heads 7–12 mm diam., with 40–60 flowers; peduncles c. 1 mm diam. (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes < 2 cm long; heads (at anthesis) 5–9 mm diam., 20–50-flowered; peduncles 0.5–0.7 mm diam. (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes punctate by shallow, circular resinous pits (observe carefully at ×10 mag.) AND 1–15 cm long; viscid plants (not W.A., N.T. or Tas.)
Phyllodes not resinous-punctate as above (but sometimes puncticulate by non-resinous stomata) OR < 1 cm long
Glands 2 or 3 along upper margin or phyllodes, the lowermost 0–5 mm above pulvinus; plants glabrous; phyllodes slightly roughened, obscurely punctate (S.A., ?Vic.)
Glands single, 0–8 mm above pulvinus; plants glabrous or with hairy phyllode margins, branchlet ribs or peduncles
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face, distinctly punctate
Phyllodes 2-nerved on each face (second nerve sometimes not well developed)
Branchlets appressed-puberulous or glabrous on the non-resinous ribs (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets glabrous, prominently resin-ribbed (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes obscurely punctate, 10–40 × 2–7 mm, with minor nerves few and forming an often obscure, longitudinal reticulum; heads c. 25-flowered (S.A., SE Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes distinctly punctate, 20–150 × 2–30 mm, with minor nerves absent or if present then not as above; heads 30–60-flowered (S.A., SE Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Phyllodes with prominent, peg-like tubercles at least on lower margin, 10–30 mm long; heads 10–20-flowered, pale yellow to almost white (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with 2 main longitudinal nerves on each face with minor nerves forming a reticulum, 1–10 cm long AND plants resinous and/or viscid
Phyllodes nerveless or 1-nerved on each face OR if 2-nerved then not reticulate AND/OR plants not resinous or viscid
Peduncles with a persistent basal bract, puberulous or glabrous, 3–9 mm long; phyllodes 1–4 cm long (not arid zone)
Peduncles ebracteate at base, glabrous, 6–30 mm long (arid zone)
Pods ±straight, usually villous; phyllode reticulum often obscure (S.A., SE Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods strongly curved to openly coiled, glabrous; phyllode reticulum evident at ×10 mag. (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 5–7 cm long, 5–6 mm wide, with l:w = 10–15 (W.A.)
Phyllodes not narrowly linear, 1.5–8.5 cm long, 4–18 mm wide, with l:w = 2–11
Heads large (9–13 mm diam. when dry), 40–60-flowered; phyllodes (4–) 5–7 (–8.5) cm long, (6–) 10–20 mm wide, thickly coriaceous and coarsely reticulately nerved (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Heads smaller than above (5–6 (–8) mm diam. when dry), 30–40-flowered; phyllodes 1.5–4 (–5) cm long, (3–) 4–11 mm wide, generally thinner and less coarsely nerved than above (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Heads 35–60-flowered, golden; bracteoles acuminate; phyllodes 10–20 × 5–10 mm, hairy over entire surface; stipules 1.5–3.5 mm long (NW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads ±obloid, golden or lemon yellow; phyllodes 5–15 mm wide, hairy; pod 8–14 mm wide, with dense, ferruginous to silvery-ferruginous hairs (N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads globular OR if obloid then other characters not combined as above; pods not as above
Phyllodes 10–20 × 5–11 mm, with straight, appressed hairs (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 15–30 (–60) × 6–15 mm, with curved or crisped and spreading or appressed hairs (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 6–14 cm long, 6–18 mm wide, falcate, acuminate; peduncles 1–2.5 cm long; heads 40–60-flowered; pods c. 13 mm wide, ±woody (S.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads white, cream or very pale yellow (rarely golden in A. orbifolia from SW W.A.); phyllodes 5–30 mm long
Heads golden or bright lemon yellow
Upper branchlets whitish; petals normally glabrous; phyllodes often ±'triangular' (i.e. obdeltate to cuneate), normally glabrous or with hairs confined to margins (SW W.A.)
Upper branchlets not white; petals with distinct, spreading to erect hairs, rarely glabrous; phyllodes hairy or glabrous (hairs not confined to margins), not 'triangular', often undulate
Stipules 2–3 mm long, acuminate; bracteoles long-acuminate; phyllodes 7–10 × 2–3.5 mm, narrowly oblong-oblanceolate to cuneate
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes normally 4–7 × 2.5–5 mm; peduncles 3–10 mm long; heads 10–16-flowered
Phyllodes 8–20 × 6–17 mm; peduncles 10–20 mm long; heads 20–32-flowered
Pods 4–7 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Pods 10–20 mm wide (N.S.W.)
Peduncles (6–) 10–25 mm long; phyllodes 10–30 mm long
Peduncles 3.5–6 mm long; phyllodes 5–16 mm long
Phyllode l:w greater than 2 or if less then some phyllodes large (greater than 30 mm long) and broadly elliptic to broadly obovate, moderately to densely hairy; lateral nerve at less than 40º to the mid-nerve
Phyllode l:w < 2, if phyllodes large (greater than 30 mm long) then ovate and sparsely hairy to sub glabrous; lateral nerves at greater than 45º to mid-nerve
Tall open shrubs, mostly > 1.5 m high; phyllodes mostly more than or equal to 16 mm long
Low bushy shrubs, mostly < 1.3 m high; phyllodes mostly < 16 mm long
Inflorescences usually pale yellow; branchlets and pulvini with an indumentum of appressed short hairs with longer spreading hairs; phyllodes subglossy green, markedly undulate with lamina usually twisted
Inflorescences cream-coloured; branchlets and pulvini with uniform length spreading hairs, sometimes slightly inclined or reflexed; phyllodes dull grey-green, flat or slightly undulate, with lamina flat or sometimes convex but not twisted
Hairs on buds yellow to golden; phyllodes densely or moderately hairy; branchlets with hairs spreading to slightly inclined
Hairs on buds grey or fawn-coloured; phyllodes usually sparsely hairy or almost glabrous; branchlets with hairs mostly slightly reflexed
Phyllodes 5–13 × 3–6 mm, erect, asymmetrically ovate to ovate-elliptic, 2-nerved on each face; shrub ±viscid (S.A., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes < 10 mm long OR shape ±'triangular' (i.e. asymmetrically obdeltate to cuneate)
Phyllode at least 10 mm long AND shape not 'triangular'
Phyllodes ±cuneate with some or all > 6 mm long; heads 23–26-flowered; plants not resinous (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Plants ±resinous; phyllodes glabrous, nerveless or with one, central, main longitudinal nerve
Plants not resinous; phyllodes often hairy, inequilateral with main nerve near lower margin, and often secondary nerves diverging from base
Phyllodes broadest near or below middle; peduncles ebracteate at base (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes broadest above middle; peduncles with persistent basal bract (S.A.)
Peduncles normally glabrous; seeds not mottled (SW W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles hairy; seeds mottled (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 10–25 × 2.5–7 mm, ±fleshy, rounded-obtuse; heads 10–17-flowered; flower buds subacute to apiculate; pods 4–5 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes openly reticulate between the 2 longitudinal nerves, 15–20 × 5–7 mm; peduncles 3–5 mm long (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 2-nerved on each face, usually 6–23 mm wide with l:w 2–5; plants not resinous; aril orange or red
Phyllodes 1-nerved on each face OR if 2-nerved (rare) then other characters not combined as above
Heads 16–23-flowered, deep golden; peduncles and young growth normally glabrous (arid zone: W.A., N.T., western Qld)
Heads 30–55-flowered, lemon yellow; peduncles and young growth hairy (NW W.A.)
Plants viscid; peduncles with a persistent basal bract; phyllodes with 2 or 3 glands along upper margin (S.A., ?Vic.)
Plants not viscid OR if so then peduncles ebracteate at base
Phyllodes 6–17.5 cm long, 6–15 mm wide, obtuse, tapered at base; branchlets pendulous, flexuose, flat or angled at extremities; plants not resinous (S.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 10–25 × 6–20 mm with l:w = 1–3; inflorescences simple; plants not resinous; pods 12–20 mm wide with transverse seeds (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes not as above OR if so (sometimes in A. brachybotrya) then inflorescences short-racemose and pods 4–10 mm wide with longitudinal seeds
Branches glaucous and downwards arching; phyllode bases truncate or asymmetrically cordate; heads mostly (30–) 40- or more-flowered
Branches non-glaucous, erect and often curved upwards; phyllode bases acute or obtuse; heads mostly 20–32-flowered
Inflorescences simple (i.e. heads not in racemes); plants sometimes resinous
Inflorescences comprising short but clearly discernible racemes
Phyllodes > 6 mm wide; plants not resinous (southern W.A.
Phyllodes 1–6 mm wide; plants ±resinous
Heads 20–30-flowered; pods 3–8 mm wide with longitudinal seeds; phyllodes 2–5 cm long with l:w 4–14 (Qld, N.S.W.)
Heads 30–60-flowered; pods c. 10 mm wide with transverse to oblique seeds (arid zone: W.A., N.T.)
Spindly open shrub with 1 or 2 main stems from base; phyllodes 2.5–6 cm long, 3–6 mm wide with l:w = 7–13 (W.A., N.T.)
Bushy shrub normally with several main stems from base; phyllodes 5–7 cm long, 5–6 mm wide with l:w = 10–15 (W.A.)
Phyllodes 7–17 × 2–5 mm, with a short but distinct, excentric, ±pungent mucro; branchlets often slightly viscid or vernicose; funicle exarillate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes and branchlets not as above; funicle arillate
Phyllodes 10–30 (–40) × 4–13 mm with l:w = 1.5–3.5, obtuse to subacute, hairy or glabrous (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes acute to short-acuminate with delicate, curved to uncinate points; calyx dissected (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes rounded-obtuse; calyx ±truncate (W.A., S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes sharply pungent with needle-like points that readily pierce the skin upon touch, sometimes glandular-pubescent
Phyllodes innocuous (but commonly with a slender mucro or narrowed to hard, rigid points which do not readily pierce the skin upon touch), never glandular-pubescent
Phyllodes 2–20 mm long AND obviously inequilateral (i.e. upper margin clearly rounded or angled and lower margin ±straight), often ±triangular in outline
Phyllodes some or all > 20 mm long OR if not then ±symmetrical and not triangular
Phyllodes clearly sessile (arising from a broad base) AND 3- or 4-nerved on each face without anastomoses in between (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Stipules caducous; phyllodes 1–5 cm long, 1–7 mm wide
Stipules persistent, acicular, 1–2.3 mm long; phyllodes 3.5–9 (–15) mm long, 2–5 mm wide
Branchlet and pod indumentum appressed
Branchlet and pod indumentum spreading
Peduncles ebracteate at base; stipules persistent, often prominent; plants often viscid by indumentum of gland-tipped hairs (northern Aust.)
Peduncles with ±persistent, brown bracts at base; stipules normally caducous; plants without gland-tipped hairs (not northern Aust.)
Most phyllodes broadest below middle (W.A.)
Most phyllodes broadest at or above middle
Phyllodes 15–16 × 5.5–7 mm; seeds transverse
Phyllodes 5–10 × 1.5–4.5 mm long; seeds longitudinal
Branchlets tomentose-villous, with hairs crisped and none gland-tipped; phyllodes broadly obdeltate, 4–15 × 4–15 mm (N.T.)
Branchlets other than tomentose-villous, gland-tipped hairs present; phyllodes not broadly obdeltate
Calyx with up to 11 acuminate lobes, corolla 7- or 8-lobed (N.T.)
Calyx and corolla regularly 5-merous
Branchlets with long, gland-tipped hairs and shorter, antrorsely curved hairs (W.A., N.T.)
Branchlets glandular-puberulous, the hairs very short and patent but sometimes with longer hairs intermixed (W.A.)
Phyllodes 1.5–2 mm wide, inequilaterally oblong-oblanceolate, strongly rounded at apex
Phyllodes 4–6 mm wide, inequilaterally elliptic or obdeltate
Phyllodes 1.5–4 mm wide, l:w = 2–6 (–14), lanceolate to lanceolate-elliptic (broadest at or below middle)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with the most prominent longitudinal nerve situated near lower margin; pods strongly curved to openly coiled (SW W.A., N.S.W., Qld)
Phyllodes with the most prominent longitudinal nerve ±central; pods tightly coiled (SW W.A.)
Petals striate; pods terete, striate, red-brown; phyllodes 10–20 × 7–10 (–15) mm (SW W.A.)
Petals not striate; pods not as above
Phyllodes very pungent by a straight, rigid cusp 1–3 mm long, often acuminate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Branchlets hairy; pods coiled
Branchlets glabrous; pods undulate
Phyllodes cuneate to obtriangular, 3–11 × 1.5–5 mm, l:w = 1.5–3.5; pods openly 1–11/2-coiled (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; pods rather tightly coiled and irregularly twisted (W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Flowers 3- or 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Phyllodes 3.5–13 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 1–2 mm wide
Heads 2–6-flowered (Tas.)
Heads 6–15-flowered (S.A., N.S.W.)
Phyllodes up to 30 mm long AND uniformly and obviously recurved (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes > 30 mm long OR if not, then ±straight
Branchlets hairy; stipules not spinose
Branchlets glabrous; stipules ±spinose (sharply or coarsely pungent)
Heads sessile, 5–15-flowered; pods 6–10 mm wide; aril yellow-orange and large; phyllodes mostly 25–105 × 3–15 mm (all mainland States, mostly arid zone)
Characters not combined as above (heads normally pedunculate and more than 15-flowered)
Petals finely striate; peduncles 10–24 mm long; viscid shrub (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes with 3 or 4 longitudinal nerves on each face, sessile or pulvinate
Phyllodes with more than 4 longitudinal nerves on each face, pulvinate
Heads obloid; branchlets glabrous; phyllodes c. 1.5 mm wide; pods 5–8 mm wide (W.A.)
Heads globular OR if obloid then other characters not combined as above
Sepals 1/2–3/4-united
Sepals free (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 1–3 mm; heads 16–20-flowered; decumbent shrub to 0.3 m high (N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 3–7 (–11) mm wide; heads 20–30-flowered; erect shrub 1–2 m high (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Phyllodes ±sessile (pulvinus absent or to 0.5 mm long)
Phyllodes pulvinate (pulvinus distinct yet short, c. 1 mm long)
Phyllodes 7–22 × c. 1 mm , often reflexed; branchlets with dense, straight, ±patent hairs
Characters not combined as above
New shoots minutely woolly and bearing united stipules; pulvinus discernible but not well developed, 0.2–0.5 mm long, yellow
New shoots glabrous or with straight hairs; stipules free; pulvinus absent
Phyllodes very rigid, with strongly raised nerves (normally from inland habitats)
Phyllodes thinly coriaceous to subrigid, with nerves plane or slightly raised (normally coastal and near-coastal habitats)
Phyllodes c. 10 × 2 mm, deflexed; branchlets minutely woolly; heads ±sessile
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles 2.5–5.5 mm long, glabrous; phyllodes 20–45 × 2–4 mm; stipules united (view new shoots), caducous (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 7–20 mm long; stipules free, persistent
Phyllodes 1–1.8 mm wide, straight; branchlets with obscure appressed hairs embedded in resin
Phyllodes 2–3.5 mm wide, ±sigmoidally curved or straight; branchlets with spreading hairs or glabrous
Stipules spinose, 0.5–3 mm long; phyllodes 13–40 mm long; peduncles 4–11 mm long (W.A.)
Stipules not spinose, often caducous
Branchlets hairy; phyllode nerves very close together
Branchlets glabrous (ignore phyllode axils); phyllode nerves not close together
Inflorescences 2–5-headed, condensed racemes; peduncles 5–12 mm long; phyllodes 5–13 cm long, 2–4 mm wide and (at least when young) densely appressed-hairy (Qld, N.S.W.)
Inflorescences simple; other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 10–15 cm long, 1–1.8 mm wide, glabrous (except when young); peduncles 1–1.5 mm long (Qld)
Phyllodes < 10 cm long
Phyllodes nerves not close together (inter-nerve distance twice width of nerve); sepals united (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Phyllodes nerves very close together; sepals normally free (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 18–25 × 3–6 mm, inequilateral, with upper margin curved with a slight gland-angle near middle; pulvinus encased in often dark-coloured resin
Phyllodes not as above
Peduncles 4–11 mm long; sepals free
Peduncles 0.5–1.5 mm long; sepals free or united
Phyllodes 30–65 × 3–5 mm
Phyllodes 15–25 × 2.5–4 mm
Peduncles glabrous; pods strongly undulate
Peduncles hairy; pods not undulate
Branchlets spinose; phyllodes short and narrow (3–20 × 1–2 mm)
Branchlets not spinose; phyllodes commonly longer OR broader than above
Branchlets white by a conspicuous, flaking epidermis; peduncles 8–12 mm long; heads commonly 25–35-flowered (central Aust. in W.A., N.T.
Branchlets not as above; peduncles 5–10 mm long; heads 20–25-flowered (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes reticulate between ±widely spaced major longitudinal nerves (anastomoses sometimes obscure, infrequent or obscured by indumentum, but present on all or most phyllodes)
Phyllodes not reticulate (nerves close together OR if spaced then no anastomosing minor nerves between them, or anastomoses occasional and present on only a few phyllodes)
Phyllodes 15–60 mm wide, l:w = 1–2.5, prominently reticulate, obtuse to retuse; inflorescences comprising 'false' terminal racemes due to phyllode suppression; peduncles 17–40 mm long, stout; pods 10–25 mm wide
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes stellate-velutinous (rarely glabrous); sepal, petal and bracteole apices golden-hairy (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes crispate-villous or tomentose (rarely glabrous); sepal, petal and bracteole apices white-hairy (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Inflorescences some or all elongated, axillary or terminal racemes or panicles (raceme axes > 1 cm long)
Inflorescences simple OR if racemose, then raceme axes all < 1 cm long
Phyllodes with 1–3 prominent marginal glands on short or elongated triangular spurs; peduncles 3–6 mm long, with often sparse, white appressed hairs (glabrous in fruit); pods 4.5–10 mm wide; funicle 3/4-encircling seed (Qld)
Phyllodes without glands on spurs OR if so (rare) then peduncles glabrous or densely yellow-hairy, pods > 10 mm wide and funicle not encircling seed
Phyllodes with some or all main nerves clearly confluent with lower margin for some distance above pulvinus (northern Aust.)
Phyllodes with main nerves remaining free from margin (although sometimes running close to it)
Heads 4–7-flowered; phyllodes 4–9 cm long, 2–6 cm wide, l:w = 2–3, broadest at or above middle; seeds exarillate (W.A.)
Heads 30–85-flowered; phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes densely and minutely stellate-velutinous (W.A.)
Phyllodes ±glabrous (sometimes stellate-hairy on young growth)
Pods openly coiled, 10–15 mm wide; funicle fleshy, red to orange, encircling seed; branchlets, young phyllodes and inflorescence axes scurfy (Qld)
Pods straight; funicle not as above; branchlets, young phyllodes and inflorescence axes not scurfy BUT commonly pruinose
Pods 7–9 mm wide; funicle exarillate; phyllodes with the most prominent nerves of reticulum ±parallel to main longitudinal nerves; inflorescences terminally paniculate (Qld)
Pods 20–40 mm wide; funicle arillate; phyllodes with the most prominent nerves of reticulum transverse or oblique to main longitudinal nerves
Phyllodes very large, 12–42 cm long, 6–17 cm wide; pruinose plants (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes shorter and/or narrower than above
Pods c. 2 cm wide, with thin valves; bright golden stellate hairs (few) at apex of developing racemes and on very young phyllodes (Qld)
Pods 2.5–3.6 cm wide, with valves thick (coriaceous to woody); golden stellate hairs absent
Branchlets normally pruinose and glabrous; phyllodes abruptly narrowed to an obtuse apex (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Branchlets not pruinose, normally hairy; phyllodes gradually narrowed towards apex (N.T.)
Phyllodes with a gland on upper surface of lamina 5–12 mm above the pulvinus; racemes enclosed by imbricate bracts when young, normally growing out at anthesis (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with gland on upper margin of phyllodes; racemes not enclosed by imbricate bracts (not SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 3–8 mm wide, linear to narrowly elliptic; peduncles 1–3 mm long; heads 4–8 (–10)-flowered (N.S.W., Qld)
Characters not combined as above
Penultimate branchlets obviously flattened; heads mostly in axillary fascicles, a few in racemes to 3 cm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Penultimate branchlets terete to angled
Sepals free; funicles exarillate
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length; funicles arillate
Flowers 4-merous; heads 10–20-flowered; rainforest tree to 40 m high (SE Qld, N.S.W.)
Flowers 5-merous; heads more than 20-flowered; not rainforest tree
Peduncles 15–35 mm long; shrub 0.4–1 (–2) m high (N.T.)
Peduncles 4–12 mm long; shrub or tree 4–12 m high
Phyllodes with minor nerves forming an open reticulum with ±irregular nerve-islands > 1 mm long (Qld)
Phyllodes with minor nerves forming a very close, net-like reticulum, with nerve-islands less than 1 mm long (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with gland 10–25 mm above pulvinus, and margin commonly indented at gland; heads 15–25-flowered (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes with gland 0–5 mm above pulvinus (gland sometimes obscure; commonly 1–3 additional glands along upper margin); heads 30–75-flowered
Peduncles densely yellowish-hairy; young growth with conspicuous, golden stellate hairs; phyllodes normally acuminate (Qld)
Peduncles glabrous or white-hairy; young growth not golden stellate-hairy (except A. leptoloba which has obtuse phyllodes)
Phyllodes with 1–3 glands (additional to the basal gland) along upper margin (glands often small and not raised, observe phyllode edge carefully at ×10 mag.); pods 20–40 mm wide (northern Aust.)
Phyllodes without additional marginal glands; pods 5–15 mm wide
Phyllodes 7–12 cm long, with minor nerves forming a close reticulum of ±square nerve islands; golden stellate hairs on very young phyllodes and apex of developing raceme axes (sometimes very sparse) (Qld)
Phyllodes normally > 12 cm long, with rather open reticulum and/or with elongated nerve islands; golden stellate hairs absent
Phyllodes 48–88 mm wide; heads c. 80-flowered; shrubs to 1.5 m high (N.T.)
Phyllodes 10–35 mm wide; heads 40–60-flowered; trees 3–12 m high
Pods 2–2.5 cm wide; phyllodes normally 8–20 cm long (N.T.)
Pods 3–4 cm wide; phyllodes normally 15–25 cm long (Qld)
Peduncles densely and obviously pubescent; pods straight, 5–8 mm wide; funicle/aril white and not encircling seed (Vic.)
Peduncles glabrous OR if hairy (sometimes in A. melanoxylon) then pods coiled and often twisted and seeds encircled by conspicuous pink to red funicles
Funicle/aril white, not encircling seed; phyllodes with secondary nerves clearly parallel to the main nerves and having relatively few, oblique anastomoses between them (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Funicle red to pink or orange, encircling seed
Phyllodes with inconspicuous secondary nerves; racemes 2-headed (southern W.A.
Phyllodes with secondary nerves forming conspicuous, close, net-like reticulum; racemes 3–5-headed
Pods 10–15 mm wide; branchlets, young phyllodes and inflorescence axes scurfy (Qld)
Pods 3.5–8 mm wide; branchlets, young phyllodes and inflorescence axes not scurfy (Qld, N.S.W., ACT, Vic., Tas., S.A.)
Peduncles 10–24 mm long, axillary; phyllodes 20–55 mm long, glabrous, with few anastomoses; stipules persistent; low, viscid shrub without 'Minni Ritchi' bark (northern W.A., N.T.
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes all < 5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long
Branchlets AND flowering peduncles glabrous
Branchlets OR flowering peduncles hairy (indumentum sometimes sparse and/or embedded in resin)
Flowers 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Phyllodes linear- to oblong-elliptic, l:w > 2, with minor nerves forming an open, sparse, longitudinal reticulum (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes obovate to suborbicular, l:w = 1–2, with minor nerves forming a prominent, close, net-like reticulum (N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Sepals united
Sepals free; shrubs or trees usually not resinous or viscid; peduncles 5–15 mm long
Shrubs not resinous or viscid; funicle red or orange and encircling seed (southern W.A.
Shrubs resinous and often viscid; funicle not as above
Peduncles 5–7 mm long; phyllodes inequilaterally narrowly elliptic and ±recurved, acute, sparingly reticulate (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 10–30 mm long; phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes cuspidate, undulate, sparingly reticulate; pods villous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes neither cuspidate nor undulate, prominently reticulate; pods glabrous (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Heads large (9–13 mm diam. when dry) and 40–60-flowered; phyllodes (4–) 5–7 (–8.5) cm long, (6–) 10–20 mm wide, thickly coriaceous and coarsely reticulately nerved, smooth or asperulate by small tubercles on nerves
Heads smaller than above (5–6 (–8) mm diam. when dry), 30–40-flowered; phyllodes 1.5–4 (–5) cm long, (3–) 4–11 mm wide, coriaceous to thinly coriaceous, normally sparsely tuberculate
Heads 10–13-flowered; pods ±woody; phyllodes 2–3 cm long (N.T.)
Heads 25–42-flowered; pods chartaceous to coriaceous, often not breaking readily at constrictions between seeds; phyllodes 3–11 cm long
Bracteoles acute to short-acuminate; peduncles 1 or 2 in each node; pods 4–5 mm wide (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Bracteoles obtuse; peduncles normally some or all more than 2 in each node; pods 5–9 (–12) mm wide
Phyllodes mostly 8–16 mm wide, c. 6-nerved on each face (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes < 8 mm wide, 3-nerved on each face
Phyllodes 4–11 cm long, l:w = 16–40, often slightly kinked upwards at the gland (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes mostly 4–5 cm long l:w = 9–15, not kinked at the gland (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes very densely appressed-lanate with indumentum completely obscuring surface (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes glabrous or if hairy then the phyllode surface clearly visible between the spreading or appressed hairs
Heads 1 or more, on often very short yet discernible racemes (axes sometimes only c. 1 mm long)
Inflorescences not racemose (peduncles arising directly from within axil of phyllode)
Phyllodes with margins prominently undulate, 6–15 mm long, 4–9 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with margins not or scarcely undulate
Phyllodes 9–11 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, hairy on nerves; racemes 1-headed; peduncles densely white-hairy (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes obviously hairy on their surface
Phyllodes glabrous or sparsely hairy (with indumentum confined mainly to margins or base)
Phyllodes 15–22 mm long, often with a net-like reticulum; peduncle hairs pale yellow to bright golden (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 20–45 mm long, with nerves all ±parallel to long axis and minor nerves forming a rather sparse, elongated reticulum; peduncle hairs white or as above
Pods prominently undulate; branchlets and phyllodes with simple hairs (SW W.A.)
Pods not undulate; branchlets and often phyllodes with both stellate and simple hairs (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes with l:w 1–2 AND/OR not more than 10 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with l:w > 2, > 10 mm long
Phyllodes 3–8 mm wide, with reticulum evident; peduncles 4–6 mm long, golden
Phyllodes 2–4 mm wide, with reticulum absent or scarcely evident; peduncles 2–3 mm long (to 5 mm in fruit)
Phyllode l:w > 10 (SW W.A.)
Phyllode l:w < 10
Phyllode gland (small
Phyllode gland (small
Peduncles 8–13 mm long; phyllode l:w = c. 1.5–3; young branchlets golden appressed-hairy (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 2–7 mm long; phyllode l:w normally > 3; young branchlets not golden-hairy
Peduncles densely minutely pilose to tomentulose with spreading, white hairs; branchlets with both stellate and simple hairs (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles and branchlets not as above (SW W.A.)
Racemes 1–2-headed; phyllodes mostly shallowly recurved; branchlets resinous but not resin-ribbed (SW W.A.)
Racemes 2–5-headed; phyllodes straight to shallowly incurved; branchlets normally resin-ribbed (at least at extremities)
Pods ±straight; phyllodes 3–7-nerved on each face with 1–3 extending to apical point (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods clearly curved; phyllodes usually more than 7-nerved on each face with many extending to apical point (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 1–2 mm long; petals golden-hairy (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 3–10 mm long; petals glabrous or white-hairy
Phyllodes 15–30 × 3–6 mm, with nerves forming a net-like reticulum (none or few longitudinal) (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 30 mm or more long, 4–15 mm wide, with nerves clearly longitudinal (Qld, N.S.W.)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; peduncles 9–25 mm long (arid zone
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; peduncles 2–10 mm long (SW
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, 1.5–7 mm wide, glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy
Phyllodes oblong-elliptic to obovate, 5–15 mm wide, indumentum of fine, spreading hairs
Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes acute, coarsely pungent (Vic.)
Peduncles hairy; phyllodes obtuse or acute, innocuous
Heads 12–20-flowered; phyllodes puncticulate, very obscurely reticulate (Vic.)
Heads 27–47-flowered; phyllodes not puncticulate
Phyllodes scarcely reticulate, glabrous or subglabrous; pods prominently undulate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes obviously longitudinally reticulate
Phyllodes obviously hairy over entire surface; pods prominently undulate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes glabrous or sometimes minutely hairy on margins; pods not undulate (Qld, N.S.W.)
Flowers 4-merous (SW W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous
Phyllodes 10–50 mm wide, prominently and openly reticulate between the 2–4 prominent longitudinal nerves
Phyllodes not as above
Peduncles hairy (sparse to dense); phyllodes 6–15 mm wide, with a very close, fine longitudinal reticulum; pods 7–8 mm wide; arils large and orange
Peduncles glabrous; phyllodes 3–8 mm wide, with a relatively sparse, open reticulum; pods 2.5–5.5 mm wide; arils white
Phyllodes 6–20 cm long; heads large (7–12 mm diam), white to cream; pods c. 5 mm wide
Phyllodes 2–8 cm long; heads smaller (4–6 mm wide), lemon yellow; pods 2.5–3.5 mm long
Branchlets AND/OR peduncles hairy (the hairs spreading or appressed, dense to sparse)
Branchlets AND peduncles glabrous
Heads 4–15-flowered
Heads 20–60-flowered; peduncles 2–16 mm long
Heads on peduncles 1–3 mm long (N.S.W., Qld)
Heads sessile (all mainland States in arid zone)
Phyllodes prominently reticulate with numerous, small nerve-islands
Phyllodes sparingly and/or openly reticulate with very long nerve-islands
Pods straight; funicle/aril white, not encircling seed; peduncles densely pubescent (Vic.)
Pods coiled and often twisted; funicle/aril red to pink or orange, encircling seed; peduncles glabrous, infrequently pubescent (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., ACT, Vic., Tas.)
Peduncles with indumentum of ±spreading, normally dense hairs (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles glabrous or hairs ±appressed
Phyllodes 8–15 cm long, l:w = 10–15; heads creamy white
Phyllodes 3–9 cm long, l:w = 6–9; heads golden yellow
Inflorescences simple
Inflorescences racemose; peduncles 2–5.5 mm long; phyllode gland at distal end of pulvinus
Pods prominently undulate; peduncles 4–5.5 mm long; phyllodes to 5.5 cm long (SW W.A.)
Pods not undulate; peduncles 5–12 mm long; phyllodes commonly > 5.5 cm long
Phyllodes resinous-punctate, with gland at distal end of pulvinus (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes not resinous-punctate, with gland 1.5–10 mm above pulvinus (SW W.A.)
Pods ±straight; phyllodes 3–7-nerved on each face with 1–3 extending to apical point (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods clearly curved; phyllodes usually more than 7-nerved on each face with many extending to apical point (SW W.A.)
Funicle/aril fleshy, red to pink or orange, 3/4 to wholly encircling seed; inflorescences clearly racemose
Funicle/aril not as above; phyllodes commonly with faint or open reticulum between main nerves; inflorescences commonly simple or fasciculate
Phyllodes not prominently reticulate; racemes 2-headed (southern W.A.
Phyllodes prominently closely reticulate between main longitudinal nerves; racemes 2–5-headed
Pods 10–15 mm wide; branchlets, young phyllodes and inflorescence axes scurfy (Qld)
Pods 4–8 mm wide; branchlets, young phyllodes and inflorescence axes not scurfy (S.A., Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic., Tas.)
Branchlets obviously flattened, at least towards extremities; funicle/aril 1/2 or more encircling seed
Penultimate branchlets terete to angled; funicle/aril not encircling seed
Phyllodes 3-nerved on each face (Qld)
Phyllodes 7–9-nerved on each face (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, 7–10 cm long, 4–6 mm wide, sparingly reticulate; peduncles 3–5 mm long; pods moniliform, 7–9 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes not more than 9 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 9 cm long
Phyllodes 5–10-nerved on each face
Phyllodes 3- or 4-nerved on each face
Phyllodes mostly 4–6.5 cm long; areole of seeds small (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 7.5 cm or more long; areole of seeds large (Qld)
Shrubs resinous; phyllodes prominently reticulate; peduncles 10–30 mm long; pods 10–15 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld)
Shrubs or trees not resinous; other characters not combined as above
Heads large (9–13 mm diam. when dry) and 40–60-flowered; phyllodes (4–) 5–7 (–8.5) cm long, (6–) 10–20 mm wide, thickly coriaceous and coarsely reticulately nerved
Heads smaller than above (5–6 (–8) mm diam. when dry), 30–40-flowered; phyllodes 1.5–4 (–5) cm long, (3–) 4–11 mm wide, generally thinner and less coarsely nerved than above
Pods breaking readily at constrictions between seeds; sepals free; phyllodes with a single marginal gland 2–15 mm above pulvinus
Pods not as above; sepals united or free; phyllodes normally with more than 1 gland along upper margin
Phyllodes l:w = 16–40, often slightly kinked upwards at the gland (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes l:w = 9–15, not kinked at the gland (Qld, N.S.W.)
Funicle exarillate; peduncles 3–5 mm long (to 9 mm in fruit); phyllodes 8 cm long or more; gland 0–2 mm above pulvinus (Qld)
Funicle with a small, clavate aril
Phyllodes 5–11 (–14) cm long with the lowermost gland 0–2 mm above pulvinus; peduncles 5–12 mm long (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 3.5–6.5 cm long with lowermost gland 1.5–10 mm above pulvinus; peduncles 3–7 mm long (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Sepals united; peduncles 7–21 mm long; heads cream to very pale yellow; funicle arillate (N.S.W.)
Sepals free or if united then other characters not combined as above (not N.S.W.)
Peduncles some or all 15–25 mm long; phyllodes strongly falcately recurved, 12–18 cm long (Qld)
Peduncles all < 15 mm long; phyllodes straight to shallowly falcately recurved or obviously incurved
Phyllodes with 3 or 4 main longitudinal nerves on each face, 5–10 mm wide; pods 2–4 mm wide
Phyllodes with 6–8 main longitudinal nerves on each face, 8–19 mm wide; pods 9–11 mm wide
Phyllodes 2–7 mm wide
Phyllodes some or all > 7 mm wide (Qld)
Pods breaking readily at constrictions between seeds; sepals free; phyllodes often slightly kinked upwards at the gland; trees (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Pods not as above; sepals united or free; phyllodes not kinked at the gland; shrubs
Peduncles 3–5 mm long (to 9 mm in fruit); funicle exarillate (Qld)
Peduncles 5–12 mm long; funicle with a small, clavate aril (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes with gland 3–15 mm above pulvinus; pods 12 mm wide, not or scarcely constricted between seeds
Phyllodes with gland 0–2 mm above pulvinus; pods 6–11 mm wide
Pods strongly constricted between seeds; phyllodes 5–10-nerved on each face
Pods not constricted between seeds; phyllodes 3–6-nerved on each face
Phyllodes 7–14 mm wide; funicle scarcely arillate, not encircling seed
Phyllodes 13–45 mm wide; funicle/aril encircling seed
Inflorescences all or mostly racemose, with raceme axes long to very short (sometimes only c. 1 mm, the peduncles then sometimes appearing as axillary clusters)
Inflorescences all or mostly simple (i.e. peduncles arising from phyllode axils
Flowers 4-merous; phyllodes 3–8 mm wide, 2 or 3-nerved, glabrous; racemes 2-headed with axes 2–6 mm long; peduncles glabrous (SW W.A.)
Flowers 5-merous OR if 4-merous then other characters not combined as above and native to Qld or N.S.W.
Phyllodes with 3 or 4 normally widely spaced nerves on each face
Phyllodes with more than 4, normally very close and fine nerves on each face (nerves of uniform prominence or 1 to several more evident than rest, sometimes obscured by indumentum or surface bloom)
Phyllodes 3–8 × 2–5 mm, widely elliptic to oblong-elliptic (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes narrowly linear, normally 1–3 mm wide
Phyllode not narrowly linear, commonly > 3 mm wide
Phyllodes 1–5 cm long; plants normally resinous
Phyllodes > 5 cm long; plants not resinous (not SW W.A.)
Heads golden; pods 2–3 mm wide, strongly curved to openly 11/2-coiled (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Heads cream; pods 4.5–6 mm wide, ±straight (SW W.A.)
Sepals 1/2–2/3-united (N.S.W.)
Sepals free to base
Phyllodes 5–11.5 cm long, with curved-acuminate apices; heads subglobular to obloid; pods 2–3 mm wide; seeds arillate (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 12–24 cm long; heads globular; pods 6–14 mm wide; seeds ±exarillate (N.T.)
Racemes 3–15 cm long; branchlets glabrous; phyllodes with small gland at apex
Racemes 0.5–2 mm long; branchlets appressed-hairy; phyllode apices acuminate-curved and eglandular
Peduncles glabrous
Peduncles appressed-hairy
Racemes 2–6 cm long, 3–6-headed, enclosed when young by conspicuous bracts; phyllodes with a gland on upper surface 5–12 mm above pulvinus (SW W.A.)
Racemes not as above; phyllodes vertically flattened with gland absent or on upper margin near pulvinus
Heads 25–35-flowered; racemes 1- or 2-headed on axes 0.5–2 mm long; funicle not red or orange or encircling seed (N.T., Qld)
Heads 60–75-flowered; racemes 2-headed on axes 3–20 mm long; funicle red or orange and encircling seed (W.A., S.A.)
Pods ±straight (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods clearly curved (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes of mature plants covered with a conspicuous, grey-white, often flaking, mealy bloom, broadest in middle and tapered equally at both ends, penultimate phyllodes glabrous or sparsely hairy; pods chartaceous; malodorous trees
Phyllodes lacking a conspicuous bloom, often silvery appressed-puberulous and linear
Pods 12–25 mm wide, curved to openly once-coiled; petals sparsely to densely puberulous (N.T., S.A., Qld)
Pods 8–12 mm wide, ±straight; petals ±glabrous (N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes falcate, mostly 10–20 cm long and 7–20 mm wide, sericeous; peduncles 10–20 (–30) mm long; racemes 2–10 mm long; pods subterete (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Flowers mostly 4-merous; racemes 20–60 mm long; heads 12–20-flowered; peduncles 5–10 mm long (Qld)
Flowers 5-merous; other characters not combined as above
Heads 4–8 (–10)-flowered on peduncles 1–3 mm long (Qld, N.S.W., A.C.T., Vic.)
Characters not combined as above
Sepals ±free
Sepals united for 1/4 or more their length
Phyllodes glabrous, mostly 4–8 cm × 3–7 mm, with nerves fine and ±close together, acute to acuminate with recurved to uncinate tips; racemes mostly 2-headed and terminated by a resinous, vegetative bud (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes glabrous (ignore base) AND with narrow but distinct spaces between nerves (not arid zone)
Phyllodes often appressed-hairy at least when young, the nerves fine and close together (predominantly arid zone)
Phyllodes with l:w > 10 (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with l:w < 10
Pods ±straight; phyllodes 3–7-nerved on each face with 1–3 extending to apical point (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods clearly curved; phyllodes usually more than 7-nerved on each face with many extending to apical point (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 1–3 mm wide, l:w > 30, obviously appressed-puberulous at least when young, acuminate with fine, delicately curved points; peduncles silvery or white appressed-hairy; pods chartaceous, flat
Phyllodes some or all > 3 mm wide OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Pods submoniliform, not reticulate, 2–5 mm wide (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods flat, reticulate, 4–10 mm wide (W.A., S.A.)
Phyllodes rigid and erect, 2–4 mm wide, obviously appressed-puberulous, acuminate with straight, sharply to coarsely pungent points; pods densely appressed-puberulous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 5–10 cm long, 2–4 mm wide, glabrous to ±obscurely appressed-hairy; heads 13–18-flowered; pods flat, glabrous (N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Branches pendulous; pods (including distinct wings) 8–18 mm wide, flat; heads 12–25-flowered (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branches not pendulous; pods (where known) 4–8 mm wide; heads 25–60-flowered
Peduncles glabrous or sparsely appressed-puberulous; branchlets scurfy, glabrous; pods linear; seeds ?transverse (Qld)
Peduncles obviously white or yellow appressed-puberulous; branchlets apically appressed-puberulous; pods constricted between seeds; seeds longitudinal
Pods ±woody; heads 30–60-flowered; phyllodes 5–14 cm long (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Pods not woody; heads 25–40-flowered; phyllodes 10–20 cm long (Qld)
Phyllodes 2–5 cm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long (not SW W.A.)
Phyllodes < 3 mm wide
Phyllodes 3–7 mm wide
Phyllodes 5–13 cm long, 2–4 mm wide, straight, rigid, erect, obviously appressed-puberulous, acuminate with straight, ±pungent points; pods linear, densely appressed-puberulous (Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Seed arils large and bright orange; pods moniliform, 7–12 mm wide, striate; phyllodes 12–33 cm long (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, l:w < 20; pods not moniliform (Qld, N.S.W.
Phyllodes narrowly linear, l:w > 20; pods sometimes moniliform (commonly arid zone)
Phyllodes densely silvery appressed-puberulous at least when young; branches pendulous
Phyllodes glabrous or sparsely appressed-puberulous; branches not pendulous
Pods 3–5 mm wide with longitudinal seeds; phyllodes 4–9 mm wide
Pods 9–15 mm wide with transverse seeds; phyllodes 5–25 mm wide
Heads 10–20-flowered; phyllodes 1–2 mm wide; pods ±moniliform, 3–4 mm wide, glabrous to sparsely hairy (Qld)
Heads 20–60-flowered; phyllodes > 2 mm wide OR if not then pod characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 15–40 cm long, often glabrous, with nerves close but with narrow inter-nerve spaces; branches normally pendulous; pods moniliform, woody (arid zone, all mainland states)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes grey-green, glabrous or with indumentum not obvious; pods glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy (Qld)
Phyllodes silvery grey-white due to dense indumentum (at least when young); pods densely appressed-hairy
Phyllodes 1.5–4 mm wide; pods 2–3 mm wide, submoniliform
Phyllodes 4–8 (–12) mm wide; pods not as above
Pods submoniliform, to 13 cm long; racemes 2–4-headed; (W.A., N.T.)
Pods linear, ±flat and straight-edged, to 6.5 cm long; racemes 2–10-headed (N.T., Qld)
Flowers 4-merous
Flowers 5-merous
Phyllodes > 3 mm wide and many-nerved (W.A.)
Phyllodes not more than 3 mm wide, or, if wider, then 3-nerved on each face
Heads sessile, obloid; phyllode nerves prominent
Heads pedunculate, globular; phyllode nerves not prominent
Phyllodes 2.5–5.5 cm long; heads 16–24-flowered; pods 2–3.5 mm wide
Phyllodes 6–12 cm long; heads 54–85-flowered; pods 5–7 mm wide
Heads sessile, mostly obloid (SW W.A.)
Heads pedunculate, globular
Phyllodes 3-nerved AND > 1.5 mm wide
Phyllodes 4- to many-nerved on each face OR not more than 1.5 mm wide
Phyllodes 2.5–4.5 cm long, straight, with nerves equally prominent; pods 3.5 mm wide
Phyllodes 4–13 cm long, strongly curved, midrib more prominent than secondary nerves; pods 2–3 mm wide
Phyllode nerves equal in width; young branchlets terete, not resinous
Phyllodes with central nerve clearly broader than the 2 or 3 finer flanking nerves; young branchlets resinous-angled
Inflorescences 10–15-flowered, peduncles 5–6 mm long (SW W.A.)
Inflorescences 20–35-flowered (not SW W.A.)
Peduncles 2–6 mm long (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles 8–13 mm long (S.A.)
Phyllodes 3- or 4-nerved on each face (OR, in A. sulcata, on the lower surface)
Phyllodes more than 4-nerved on each face
Heads sessile; phyllodes 1–3 mm wide (SW W.A.)
Heads pedunculate (although peduncles sometimes only 1–2 mm long)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes with 3 strongly raised nerves on each face; pods strongly undulate, villous
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllode nerves not as above; pods ±straight, minutely silvery-sericeous
Phyllodes not more than 5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long
Heads obloid
Heads globular
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, 1–5 cm long, 1.5–7 mm wide, with nerves not resinous (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; phyllodes narrowly linear, 4 cm long or more and 1–2 mm wide, with nerves often brown-resinous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes horizontally flattened and often with a small gland on upper surface of lamina, commonly glaucous (at least when young), < 2 cm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes vertically flattened with gland (when present) on upper margin of phyllode
Phyllodes ±nerveless
Phyllodes prominently 3-nerved on lower surface
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length
Sepals free or united at extreme base
Pods ±woody and normally tapered at base, opening elastically from apex, obliquely to longitudinally striate (nerves sometimes obscure); seeds oblique (northern Aust.)
Pods not woody; seeds longitudinal (southern Aust.)
Phyllodes 1–5 mm wide; heads 4–7 mm diam. (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 3–20 mm wide; heads 7–16.5 mm diam. (NW W.A.
Heads 40–60-flowered, 7–12 mm diam.
Heads 7–25-flowered, 7.5–16.5 mm diam.
Phyllodes resinous-punctate, 4–8 mm wide, with appressed-puberulous margins (Vic.)
Phyllodes not resinous-punctate, 1–3 mm wide OR if wider then glabrous
Phyllodes rounded-obtuse, ±fleshy, 2–7 mm wide, with obscure nerves (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes acute or distinctly (excentrically) mucronulate, 1–3 mm wide (Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes innocuous, excentrically mucronulate, with indistinct nerves (N.S.W., Qld)
Phyllodes acute and coarsely pungent, with distinct raised nerves (N.S.W.)
Branchlets glabrous; peduncles 7–12 mm long
Branchlets hairy; peduncles 2–6 mm long
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlets hairy at least towards apices (SW W.A.)
Heads 10–13-flowered; pods ±woody; phyllodes 2–3 cm long, with nerves obscure except central one, and stomata evident (northern N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Peduncles with a small persistent bract at base (arid zone and northern Aust.)
Peduncles ebracteate at base
Bracteoles acute to short-acuminate; peduncles 1 or 2 in each node; pods 4–5 mm wide (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Bracteoles obtuse; peduncles normally some or all more than 2 in each node; pods 5–9 (–12) mm wide
Phyllodes with l:w = 16–40, often slightly kinked upwards at the gland (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes with l:w = 9–15, not kinked at the gland (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles 2–5 mm long (SW W.A., S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Peduncles 10–20 mm long (SW W.A.)
Peduncles > 5 mm long AND/OR heads more than 25-flowered; phyllodes 1–3.5 mm wide, covered with dense, spreading hairs
Peduncles 2–5 mm long AND heads 10–25-flowered
Phyllodes sharply to coarsely pungent, strongly 3-nerved on each face, ±sigmoidally curved or straight; young growth white-hairy
Phyllodes not as above; young growth golden- or white-hairy
Phyllodes narrowly linear, 20–45 × 1–3 mm wide, not deflexed
Phyllodes not as above, sometimes deflexed
Phyllodes 4-nerved on each face; branchlets tomentulose
Phyllodes 3-nerved on each face
Branchlets with closely appressed hairs
Branchlets with patent hairs
Heads obloid (SW W.A.)
Heads globular
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; branchlets and phyllodes obviously appressed-puberulous
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; branchlets and phyllodes glabrous or appressed-puberulous (especially when young)
Phyllode 2–3.5 mm wide, with nerves raised and not brown or resinous
Phyllode 1–2 mm wide, with nerves not raised and often brown-resinous
Phyllodes 9–15 (–20) mm wide; branchlets obviously flattened, at least towards their extremities; funicle/aril 1/2 or more encircling seed (Qld)
Phyllodes < 9 mm wide OR if not then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 12–19 cm × 1–2 mm; peduncles 10–13 mm long; sepals free; branchlets appressed-puberulous, glabrescent (N.T.)
Characters not combined as above
Sepals 1/3–3/4-united; peduncles hairy (N.S.W.)
Sepals free OR if united (rare) then peduncles glabrous
Phyllodes 0.6–1 mm wide; peduncles with red resin-hairs and white hairs
Phyllodes 1.5–6 mm wide; peduncles without conspicuous reddish resin-hairs
Pods moniliform, 7–9 mm wide; peduncles 3–5 mm long; phyllodes 7–10 cm × 4–6 mm (W.A.)
Pods not as above; other characters normally not combined as above
Peduncles (at anthesis) with a small, persistent bract at base (not SW W.A.)
Peduncles (at anthesis) ebracteate at base
Phyllodes resinous-punctate, glabrous except for hairs on margins; sepals united (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes not resinous-punctate, glabrous
Pods breaking readily at constrictions between seeds; sepals free; phyllodes with a single marginal gland 2–15 mm above pulvinus
Pods not as above; sepals united or free; phyllodes normally with more than 1 gland along upper margin
Phyllodes with l:w = 16–40, often slightly kinked upwards at gland (W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes with l:w = 9–15, not kinked at gland (Qld, N.S.W.)
Funicle exarillate; peduncles 3–5 mm long (to 9 mm in fruit); phyllodes 8–12 (–15) cm long; gland 0–2 mm above pulvinus (Qld)
Funicle with a small, clavate aril
Phyllodes at least 5 cm long with lowermost gland 0–2 mm above pulvinus; peduncles 5–12 mm long (N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes 3.5 cm or more long with lowermost gland 1.5–10 mm above pulvinus; peduncles 3–7 mm long (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes abruptly narrowed to short, straight points; sepals free, linear (S.A.)
Phyllodes gradually narrowed into acute to acuminate, delicately curved to subuncinate points (SW W.A.)
Sepals 1/4–1/2-united, lobes narrowly oblong; young growth and tips of mature phyllodes glabrous; phyllodes with midnerve or all 3 main nerves resinous
Sepals free, spathulate with a long, linear stipe; young growth golden- or white-sericeous; tips of mature phyllodes commonly appressed-puberulous
Phyllodes 3–9 mm wide
Phyllodes 1–2.5 mm wide
Pods woody, 7–12 mm wide, ±quadrangular by marginal wings; phyllodes 4–13 cm long, 2–7 mm wide, with margins commonly red- or brown-resinous (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Sepals free or very shortly united at base
Sepals united for at least 1/4 their length
Phyllodes not more than 5 cm long
Phyllodes some or all > 5 cm long
Branchlets with prominent, crenulate resin-ribs; pods 6–15 mm wide (arid zone: W.A.
Characters not combined as above
Phyllodes fleshy (coarsely longitudinally wrinkled when dry), 2–3 mm wide, scarcely flattened; branchlets and peduncles glabrous (S.A.)
Phyllodes not fleshy OR if so (A. farinosa) then 2–6 mm wide and distinctly flat, and peduncles densely hairy
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'; viscid shrubs; peduncles 10–25 mm long (northern W.A., N.T., Qld)
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'; shrubs not viscid; peduncles usually not more than 10 mm long (southern Aust.)
Branchlets tomentose; phyllodes tomentose, 2–4.5 cm × 3–10 mm; peduncles 3–4 mm long and tomentose (SW W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Phyllode glands (small, observe carefully at ×10 mag.) 1–3 along upper margin, the lowermost 2–21 mm above pulvinus
Phyllode glands (observe carefully at ×10 mag.) absent or single along upper margin and at distal end of pulvinus
Phyllodes ±fleshy and longitudinally wrinkled when dry, with indistinct nerves, 2–7 cm long, obtuse; peduncles very densely hairy (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes not fleshy or wrinkled, finely but distinctly nerved, commonly acute to short-acuminate; peduncles commonly glabrous (SW W.A.)
Peduncles 2–11 mm long; branchlets glabrous or appressed-puberulous (hairs straight); phyllodes 20–65 × 2–5 mm; pods not undulate
Peduncles 0.5–2 mm long; branchlets tomentulose with indumentum extending to pulvinus
Pods not undulate; phyllodes oblong-elliptic, 5–25 mm long, 2.5–5.5 mm wide
Pods undulate; phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate, 20–45 mm long, 1–4 mm wide
Phyllodes with longitudinal nerves not close together (inter-nerve distance more than twice diameter of nerve)
Phyllodes with longitudinal nerves very close together
Phyllodes 2–4 cm long; heads 12–20-flowered; peduncles 2–5 mm long (W.A., S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes 3.5–7.5 cm long; heads 30–45-flowered; peduncles 5–10 mm long (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes 2–8.5 cm long, linear to narrowly oblanceolate, with tips clearly acute to short-acuminate, slender and curved (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes characters not combined as above
Pods narrowly oblong, 5–7 mm wide, with oblique seeds; peduncles 6–15 mm long; phyllodes 2.5–8 mm wide (S.A.)
Pods linear, 2–3 mm wide, with longitudinal seeds; peduncles 1.5–7 mm long; phyllodes 1–5 mm wide
Phyllodes innocuous, with nerves obscure to ±evident, not paler than inter-nerve spaces (SW W.A., S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes coarsely pungent, with nerves strong, discrete and paler than inter-nerve spaces (SW W.A.)
Phyllode glands (small, observe carefully at ×10 mag.) 1–3 along upper margin, with the lowermost 2–21 mm above pulvinus
Phyllode glands absent or basal (not more than 2 mm above pulvinus)
Phyllodes ±fleshy and longitudinally wrinkled when dry, with indistinct nerves, obtuse; peduncles very densely hairy (S.A., Vic.)
Phyllodes not fleshy or wrinkled, finely but distinctly nerved, acute to short-acuminate; peduncles commonly glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes obviously hairy on surface (at least when young, some hairs normally extending to mature phyllodes), with acuminate and normally delicately curved apices; pods chartaceous, flat, 2–10 mm wide
Phyllodes glabrous or with minute hairs between nerves (very young new shoots sometimes densely hairy in A. enervia)
Pods submoniliform, not reticulate, 2–5 mm wide (S.A., N.S.W., Vic.)
Pods flat, reticulate, 4–10 mm wide (W.A., S.A.)
Phyllodes with longitudinal nerves not close together (inter-nerve distance more than twice diameter of nerve), 3–6 mm wide, glabrous; heads shortly obloid; peduncles ±glabrous (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with longitudinal nerves very close together OR if slightly spaced then other characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 4–9 mm wide, falcately recurved, appressed-hairy between nerves; pods ±quadrangular, 5–6 mm wide, crustose to woody (W.A.)
Phyllodes and pods not as above
Plants resinous-aromatic (smelling of Friars Balsam); peduncles 9–10 mm long; pods ±moniliform (W.A.)
Characters not combined as above
Heads globular or slightly obloid, on discernible peduncles 2–9 mm long
Heads clearly obloid, sometimes sessile (SW W.A. and arid zone)
Phyllodes c. 1 mm wide, abruptly narrowed to short, straight points; peduncles glabrous, 3–4 mm long (S.A.)
Characters not combined as above (SW W.A.)
Branchlets resin-ribbed; phyllodes obtuse-mucronulate to subacute
Branchlets not resin-ribbed; phyllodes short-acuminate with delicate, curved points
Branchlets pendulous, glabrous; phyllode margins commonly red or brown; pods 8–17 mm wide, woody, flat with wide margins (W.A.)
Branchlets not pendulous; phyllode margins not red or brown; pods not as above
Phyllodes to c. 3 mm wide, with prominent, raised midrib; pods linear, sparsely appressed-puberulous to glabrous (W.A.)
Phyllodes with nerves of uniform prominence or if central one more evident than the rest then not raised; pods normally terete, appressed-hairy or striate
Pods 1.5–3 mm wide; phyllodes 1–10 mm wide (arid
Pods 3–11 mm wide; phyllodes 1–4 mm wide (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Bark 'Minni Ritchi'
Bark not 'Minni Ritchi'
Peduncles c. 1.5 mm long; phyllodes 8.5–18 cm × c. 1 mm (Qld, N.S.W.)
Peduncles 4–25 mm long
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, to 5 cm long, with a short but distinct apical cusp, nerves few and clearly separated from one another (W.A., N.T.
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes ±glabrous, with fine, very close nerves; receptacle glabrous or sparsely appressed-hairy (arid zone: W.A., N.T., S.A.)
Phyllodes appressed-puberulous, with raised, well-separated nerves; receptacle with dense, spreading hairs (SW W.A.)
Heads ±sessile (peduncles all < 2 mm long)
Heads pedunculate (peduncles some or all > 2 mm long)
Pods 6–10 mm wide, coiled to twisted; aril orange and large; heads 5–15-flowered, pale yellow (all mainland States, mostly arid zone)
Pods < 6 mm wide; aril whitish and small; heads 15–40-flowered, golden (where colour is known)
Dwarf subshrub; pods 3.5–4.5 mm wide, obliquely nerved; phyllodes 4–15 cm long, 0.8–3 mm wide (northern W.A.)
Tall shrubs or trees; other characters not combined as above (SW W.A.
Phyllodes 7–15 cm long
Phyllodes < 7 cm long (SW W.A.)
Branchlets densely appressed-hairy (Qld)
Branchlets glabrous or hairs confined to phyllode axils (SW W.A.)
Heads 28–36-flowered, shortly pedunculate; phyllodes ±straight, with short-acuminate, gently curved to uncinate tips; seeds not mottled
Heads 15–25-flowered, closely sessile; phyllodes not as above; seeds mottled
Phyllodes hairy
Phyllodes glabrous
Phyllodes with a discrete, yellowish, resinous marginal nerve and evident midrib
Phyllodes nerves of uniform prominence (without a discrete, resinous marginal nerve; midrib usually not evident)
Phyllodes 20–45 × 1–4 mm, stomata evident between nerves; branchlets tomentulose with hairs extending to pulvinus
Characters not combined as above
Pods ±woody and normally tapered at base, opening elastically from apex, obliquely to longitudinally striate (nerves sometimes obscure); seeds oblique; branchlets glabrous (occasionally hairy on new shoots) (northern Aust.)
Pod and seed characters not combined as above; branchlets hairy (indumentum normally closely appressed) or glabrous
Phyllodes not more than 3 mm wide
Phyllodes some or all > 3 mm wide
Phyllodes 4–15 cm long, 0.8–3 mm wide; heads obloid, densely flowered (W.A.)
Phyllodes not more than 25 mm long
Phyllodes 3–5 (–9) × 1.5–3 mm, apical point ±setose; peduncles c. 7 mm long; heads about 20-flowered; bracteoles acuminate (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes not as above
Phyllodes straight (N.T.)
Phyllodes curved to sigmoid
Heads globular (W.A., N.T.)
Heads obloid (Qld)
Heads obloid
Heads globular
Phyllodes 10–20 mm long, 2–5 mm wide (Qld)
Phyllodes 30–60 mm long, 3–9 mm wide (W.A.)
Inflorescences initiated on new shoots in axils of juvenile phyllodes at ends of branchlets AND phyllodes all > 30 mm long (N.T.)
Inflorescences not as above AND/OR phyllodes < 30 mm long
Phyllodes (4–) 9–16 (–30) mm long, (1–) 2.5–3 (–5) mm wide, l:w = (2–) 4–6 (–25), rather spreading, shallowly to prominently recurved; heads 10–20-flowered, small (W.A., N.T., Qld)
Phyllodes not as above; heads more than 20-flowered, or if not then flower buds large
Heads 7–25-flowered, buds large and widely spreading; phyllode mucro knob-like to conical and erect (W.A.)
Heads more than 20-flowered, buds not widely spreading; phyllode mucro partially or wholly inflexed-appressed to phyllode margin, at least on young phyllodes
Phyllodes mostly > 2 cm long; heads 7–12 mm diam., with 40–60 flowers; peduncles c. 1 mm diam. (W.A., N.T.)
Phyllodes < 2 cm long; heads (at anthesis) 5–9 mm diam., 20–50-flowered; peduncles c. 0.5 mm diam. (W.A., N.T.)
Peduncles 10–24 mm long; viscid low shrub; stipules persistent; phyllodes 20–55 × 4–12 mm (northern W.A., N.T.
Characters not combined as above
Pods 7–12 mm wide, moniliform, striate, coriaceous; seed arils bright orange and large; phyllodes 10–33 cm long (arid zone: all mainland States except Vic.)
Pods and arils not as above; phyllodes often < 10 cm long
Phyllodes 1–3 mm wide
Phyllodes some or all > 3 mm wide
Phyllodes with midrib more prominent than other nerves (SW W.A.)
Phyllodes with nerves of uniform prominence (or midrib and some other nerves equally more prominent than the rest)
Branchlets prominently flexuose and pendulous; phyllodes mostly 8–17 cm long and strongly curved
Branchlets not as above; phyllodes < 8 cm long OR if not then ±straight (except apices sometimes curved)
Heads obloid (rarely globular in A. beauverdiana); phyllodes 7–18 cm long, with gently curved-acuminate apices; branchlets glabrous (ignore phyllode axils)
Heads globular; phyllodes 1.5–13 cm long
Phyllode margins resinous; peduncles glabrous, smooth or granular-resinous; seeds mottled
Phyllode margins not resinous; peduncles white-hairy, sometimes intermixed with reddish resin-hairs; seeds not mottled
Branchlets silvery-sericeous between the resinous ribs
Branchlets glabrous
Phyllodes with discrete, yellowish, resinous marginal nerve
Phyllodes without discrete, resinous marginal nerve
Branchlets glabrous (ignore phyllode axils)
Branchlets hairy
Phyllodes 7–13 cm long, with delicately curved acuminate apices; peduncles puberulous; pods 2–3 mm wide (W.A.)
Phyllodes often < 7 cm long, with apices normally straight and acute to obtuse; peduncles glabrous or puberulous
Heads globular; pods 3–4 mm wide (W.A.)
Heads obloid to widely elliptic; pods 4–11 mm wide (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Branchlets tomentulose; phyllodes 2.5–5 (–6) cm long (SW W.A.)
Branchlets sericeous to appressed-puberulous; phyllodes normally > 6 cm long
Phyllodes innocuous or ±coarsely pungent by a straight or curved point (not acuminate), coriaceous to subrigid, grey-green, multistriate by yellowish nerves (W.A., S.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes ending in acuminate, innocuous, normally delicately curved points, not rigid, silvery appressed-puberulous, often glabrescent, with numerous closely parallel, indistinct nerves (W.A., S.A.)
Phyllodes with longitudinal nerves numerous and very close together
Phyllodes with longitudinal nerves few to numerous and not very close together (inter-nerve distance more than twice diameter of nerves)
Branchlets and phyllodes glabrous (ignore phyllode axils and pulvinus)
Branchlets and/or phyllodes sericeous (hairs commonly closely appressed, observe carefully at ×10 mag.)
Phyllodes 2–6 cm long, 2–5.5 mm wide, with evident midrib, and marginal nerves discrete, yellowish and resinous (SW W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above
Peduncles 8–15 mm long; phyllodes 6–14.5 cm long, 5–10 mm wide, shallowly incurved (NW W.A.)
Peduncles < 8 mm long OR if not then phyllode characters not combined as above
Phyllodes 5–6 mm wide, with delicately curved acuminate apices; peduncles puberulous at base (W.A.)
Phyllode characters not combined as above; peduncles glabrous or puberulous
Heads globular; pods 3–4 mm wide (W.A.)
Heads obloid to widely elliptic; pods 4–11 mm wide (W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W.)
Phyllodes 2–6 mm wide, midrib conspicuous and often raised
Phyllodes some or all > 6 mm wide OR if not then midrib not raised; heads obloid; seeds not mottled
Heads widely ellipsoid to obloid, densely flowered; phyllodes 8–19 cm long, 3–6 mm wide; seeds not mottled
Heads globular, subdensely flowered; phyllodes 5–7 (–11) cm long, 2–4 mm wide; seeds mottled
Phyllodes without resin-haired margins; calyx deeply lobed; pods 2–3 mm wide
Phyllodes (at least when young) with minute, appressed, reddish resin-hairs; calyx shortly lobed; pods 4–5 mm wide
Phyllodes punctate, 6–9 cm long (N.S.W., Vic.)
Phyllodes not punctate, < 6 cm long
Phyllodes linear-oblanceolate, with gland 5–10 mm above pulvinus (Vic.)
Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, gland at distal end of pulvinus (SW W.A.)
Pods undulate to plicate; branchlets appressed-puberulous; phyllodes ±straight
Pods not undulate or plicate; branchlets glabrous or subglabrous; phyllodes subfalcate, rarely straight
Inflorescences elongated racemes (exceeding 1 cm long) or paniculate; stipules inconspicuous; prickles absent (eastern Aust.)
Inflorescences simple (peduncles solitary to clustered) or in very short racemes < 5 mm long
Pinnules > 2 mm wide
Pinnules < 2 mm wide
Lower surface of pinnules distinctly paler than upper surface
Lower surface of pinnules same colour as or only very slightly paler than upper surface
Pinnules usually 20–60 mm long; heads 30–50-flowered
Pinnules up to 20 mm long; heads 5–16-flowered
Branchlets with convoluted, winged ridges to 3 mm high
Branchlets ridged, not winged
Petiole above pulvinus 0.7–4.5 cm long; pinnules ±flat, shiny above
Petiole above pulvinus to 0.5 cm long; pinnules recurved, not shiny
Branchlets glabrous
Branchlets sparsely to densely hairy
Apex of pinnules obtuse and markedly mucronulate
Apex of pinnules acute to emarginate, not mucronulate
Most pinnae with less than 10 pairs of pinnules
Pinnae with 10 or more pairs of pinnules
Branchlets distinctly pruinose; heads 40–60-flowered
Branchlets not or rarely slightly pruinose; most heads with less than 40 flowers
Pinnae 3–10 cm long; leaves greyish green
Pinnae not more than 4.5 cm long
Leaves reddish, not glaucous; pods 5–10 mm wide
Leaves blue-green, glaucous; pods mostly 10–15 mm wide
Pinnules with hairs on upper and/or lower surfaces
Pinnules glabrous or with hairs only on margins
Heads golden; leaves light green, glaucous; tree to 25 m high; most pinnae with 12–14 pairs of pinnules
Heads pale yellow or cream; leaves blue-green, glaucous; shrub or tree 2.5–10 m high; pinnae with 12–33 pairs of pinnules
Branchlets pruinose
Branchlets not pruinose
Heads golden; pods smooth, not moniliform; pinnules completely glabrous
Heads pale yellow; pods scabrous, submoniliform; pinnule margins hairy
Bark smooth; flowers golden or yellow; pods submoniliform, glabrous; leaves greyish green, not glaucous
Bark slightly fissured, becoming rough at base; flowers pale yellow or cream; pods not submoniliform, glaucous, sparsely fawn-puberulous; leaves blue-green, glaucous
Apex of pinnules obtuse and markedly mucronulate
Apex of pinnules acuminate to emarginate, not mucronulate
Pinnae with less than 10 pairs of pinnules
Pinnae with more than 10 pairs of pinnules
Pinnules ±glabrous, sometimes margins ciliate
Pinnules with hairs on one or both surfaces
Leaves dark green, not glaucous; pods blackish brown, not glaucous; pinnule margins appressed-ciliolate
Leaves blue-green, glaucous; pods blue-green or blue-black, glaucous; pinnule margins not ciliolate
Pinnule apex sharply acute to acuminate; lower pinnule surface lanate; pods 4–6.5 mm wide, densely lanate
Pinnule apex subacute to truncate; lower pinnule surface hairy (but not lanate); pods 6.5–11 mm wide, sparsely hairy or glabrous
Flowers golden; leaves light green, glaucous; tree to 25 m high; most pinnae with 12–14 pairs of pinnules
Flowers pale yellow or cream; leaves blue-green, glaucous; shrub or tree 2.5–10 m high; pinnae with 12–33 pairs of pinnules
Jugary glands present
Jugary glands absent
Interjugary glands present
Interjugary glands absent
Most pinnules > 10 mm long
Most pinnules < 10 mm long
Pinnules usually 10–20 mm long; branchlets terete; pinnae usually 3 or 4 pairs (NE N.S.W.)
Pinnules usually to 12 mm long; branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apex; pinnae usually 3–12 pairs (inland southern Qld, central N.S.W. and central Vic.)
Branchlets distinctly hairy
Branchlets ±glabrous
Pinnules distinctly hairy on one or both surfaces
Pinnules ±glabrous on both surfaces, sometimes margins ciliolate
Pinnules narrowly lanceolate to ovate
Pinnules usually oblong to cultrate, sometimes linear or slightly spathulate
Pinnules silvery grey, lanate, 1–2 mm wide; pods densely lanate; shrub or tree usually 1.5–10 m high
Pinnules green and glabrous above, silvery when dried, 0.7–1.5 mm wide; pods subglabrous; tree 6–30 m high
Heads yellow or golden
Heads pale yellow to cream
Leaves subsessile, with basal pinnae usually arising ±immediately above pulvinus; bark fissured
Leaves with petiole above pulvinus 0.4–3 cm long; bark smooth, or smooth on upper trunk and corrugated or fissured below
Petiole above pulvinus vertically flattened
Petiole above pulvinus not flattened, with a single gland; leaves not glaucous; pods black or dark brown, not glaucous
Petiole with a gland near base of lowest pinnae, and usually 1–4 additional glands; leaves discolorous, dark green above, paler below; pods blue to blue-black, pruinose
Petiole eglandular or with a single apical or median gland; leaves concolorous, green or silvery, ±glaucous; pods red brown or brownish grey, ±glaucous
Leaves dark green and glossy above, concolorous or slightly paler below; petiole not flattened; pinnae with (16–) 25–78 pairs of pinnules (S.A., N.S.W., Vic., Tas.)
Leaves dark or light green, not glossy above, concolorous; petiole vertically flattened; pinnae with 10–35 (–49) pairs of pinnules
Petiole with more than one gland; heads with 14–18 flowers; bark silvery or blue-grey
Petiole with one gland (rarely two); heads with 15–32 flowers; bark not silvery or blue-grey
Branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apex; pinnae to 7.5 cm long; pinnules to 10 mm long
Branchlets ridged (at least when young), not flattened; pinnae to 3 cm long; pinnules 1–2 (–3) mm long
Pinnules broadly auriculate at base; heads with 19–23 flowers; leaves not fleshy, with leaf rachis3.5–8 cm long (Qld)
Pinnules not broadly auriculate at base; heads with 30–32 flowers; leaves fleshy, with rachis usually 1.5–5 cm long (N.S.W.)
Lower surface of pinnules distinctly paler than upper surface
Lower surface of pinnules ±the same colour as upper surface
Most pinnules 4–10 mm long; heads with 20–30 flowers
Most pinnules < 4 mm long; heads with 12–20 flowers
Petiole above pulvinus vertically flattened
Petiole above pulvinus not vertically flattened
Branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apex; pinnules to 10 mm long
Branchlets ridged (at least when young), not flattened; most pinnules 1–4 mm long
Pinnules broadly auriculate at base (Qld)
Pinnules not broadly auriculate at base (N.S.W.)
Heads with 14–18 flowers; pinnules mostly 2–4 (–5) mm long, not fleshy; young foliage-tips white or yellow
Heads with 30–32 flowers; pinnules 1–2.5 mm long, fleshy; young foliage-tips sulphur-yellow
Heads with 14–20 flowers; pinnae usually 5–8 pairs; pinnules 0.8–3.6 mm long
Heads with 20–40 flowers; pinnae usually 6–16 pairs; pinnules 2–7 (–9) mm long
Pinnules distinctly hairy on one or both surfaces
Pinnules ±glabrous on both surfaces, sometimes margins ciliolate
Branchlets pruinose; leaves and pods ±glaucous
Branchlets not pruinose; leaves and pods not glaucous
Petiole above pulvinus with 2 or more glands; branchlets often glaucous
Petiole above pulvinus with a single gland; branchlets not glaucous
Branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apex; pinnae usually 3–12 pairs; pinnules to 10 mm long (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets markedly ridged when young, not flattened; pinnae 10–18 pairs; pinnules 1–2 (–3) mm long (Qld)
Lower surface of pinnules distinctly paler than upper surface
Lower surface of pinnules ±the same colour as upper surface
Petiole above pulvinus flattened vertically, usually with more than one gland; pinnules 23–68 (–93) pairs, usually 4–10 mm long; heads with 20–30 flowers, dark yellow
Petiole above pulvinus not flattened vertically, with a single gland; pinnules 9–34 pairs, < 2.5 mm long; heads with 12–20 flowers, golden
Heads with more than 20 flowers
Heads with less than 20 flowers
Petiole above pulvinus not flattened vertically
Petiole above pulvinus flattened vertically
Branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apex; pinnae usually 3–12 pairs; pinnules to 10 mm long (Qld, N.S.W., Vic.)
Branchlets markedly ridged when young, not flattened; pinnae 10–18 pairs; pinnules 1–2 (–3) mm long (Qld)
Pinnae with more than 50 pairs of pinnules
Pinnae with less than 50 pairs of pinnules
Shrub or tree to 6 m high; heads cream or pale yellow, 14–20-flowered; branchlets sometimes glaucous (Qld)
Tree 3–15 m high; heads deep yellow, 7–12-flowered; branchlets pruinose (SE N.S.W.)
Pinnules to 10 mm long; branchlets not glaucous or pruinose; heads with 15–30 flowers
Pinnules < 5 mm long; branchlets often glaucous; heads with 14–20 flowers
Pods 5–9 mm wide, glabrous or with minute appressed hairs; petiole above pulvinus mostly 0.5–1.7 cm long, usually with 2–4 glands (N.S.W.)
Pods 8–12 mm wide, glabrous, sometimes glaucous; petiole above pulvinus mostly 1.2–2.3 cm long, usually with 1 or 2 glands (Qld)
Pinnules of most leaves < 5 mm long
Pinnules of most leaves > 5 mm long
Most pinnae with less than 20 pairs of pinnules
Most pinnae with more than 20 pairs of pinnules
Most heads with not more than 15 flowers
Heads with more than 15 flowers
Branchlets with convoluted winged ridges to 3 mm high; petiole and leaf rachis winged
Branchlets, petiole and leaf rachis not winged
Heads pale yellow to cream
Heads yellow to golden or deep yellow
Petiole 0.7–4.3 cm long; pinnae 1–8 pairs, 1.3–9 cm long; pinnules shiny on upper surface
Petiole to 0.5 cm long; pinnae 3–13 pairs, 0.5–4.5 cm long; pinnules not shiny on upper surface
Pinnules ±concolorous, ±silvery glaucous
Pinnules discolorous, dark to mid green above, paler below (sometimes only evident when fresh)
Leaves subsessile with basal pinnae arising < 0.7 mm above pulvinus; pods 4–8 mm wide
Leaves with petiole above pulvinus 0.5–4.5 cm long; pods 9–20 mm wide
Weeping shrub; pinnules bright green above, cultrate to oblong, 0.4–1 mm wide, not apically reflexed
Spreading, slender or straggling shrub; pinnules dark green above, narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 0.8–1.8 mm wide, apically ±reflexed
Shrub or occasionally small tree to 6 m high; pinnules shiny on upper surface, mostly acute to acuminate (N.S.W., Vic. Tas.)
Tree to 12 m high; pinnules not shiny on upper surface, subacute to truncate or emarginate (Vic.)
Upper surface of pinnules grey- or blue-green or silvery
Upper surface of pinnules green
Leaves with 2–4 pairs of pinnae
Leaves with 4–30 pairs of pinnae
Heads with 20–35 flowers; pinnule apices obtuse and markedly mucronulate; pinnae 1–4.5 cm long
Heads with 11–22 flowers; pinnule apices acute, bluntly apiculate or broadly rounded; pinnae < 2 cm long
Upper surface of pinnules glaucous, ±glabrous or puberulous; pinnae 6–30 pairs; bushy shrub or spreading tree to 30 m high
Upper surface of pinnules silvery, velvety; pinnae 4–10 pairs; pendulous shrub or tree 1.5–6 m high, with mallee habit
Most heads with 30 or more flowers; shrub usually < 3 m high
Most heads with less than 30 flowers; shrubs or trees to 12 m high
Heads with 30–45 flowers; golden or dark yellow; leaves subsessile, with basal pinnae arising ±immediately above pulvinus; pinnae 1–5 pairs
Heads with 30–32 flowers; pale yellow or cream; petiole above pulvinus vertically flattened, 0.2–1 cm long; pinnae 6–19 pairs
Leaves discolorous, dark green above, paler below
Leaves concolorous, dark green to pale green
Heads with 15–30 flowers; pods 4–6 mm wide; leaves subsessile, with basal pinnae arising ±immediately above pulvinus
Heads with 12–20 flowers; pods 9–20 mm wide; petiole above pulvinus usually 0.5–1.6 cm long
Leaves subsessile or with petiole above pulvinus not more than 2 mm long; pinnule bases obliquely subcordate; heads golden
Leaves with petiole above pulvinus 0.4–3 cm long, vertically flattened; pinnule bases rounded; heads yellow to cream
Most pinnae with more than 50 pairs of pinnules
Most pinnae with less than 50 pairs of pinnules
Heads with 7–12 flowers, deep yellow; branchlets pruinose
Heads with 15–50 flowers, usually cream to pale yellow; branchlets not pruinose
Pinnules 1–3.5 mm long, dark green and glossy above, ciliate; heads with 20–38 flowers; jugary glands orbicular
Pinnules mostly 2–5 mm long, dark green but not glossy above, not ciliate; heads with 15–50 flowers; jugary glands pouched
Upper surface of pinnules grey-green or silvery
Upper surface of pinnules green
Pinnae 4–10 pairs; pendulous shrub or tree 1.5–6 m high with mallee habit
Pinnae 6–30 pairs; erect or bushy shrub or tree to 30 m high, not with mallee habit
Petioles with apical gland; jugary glands at base of each pair of pinnae; heads of 17–42 flowers
Petioles eglandular; jugary glands at base of upper 2–10 pairs of pinnae only; heads with up to 20 flowers
Most pinnules < 2 mm long
Most pinnules > 2 mm long
Most heads with more than 20 flowers
Heads with up to 20 flowers
Petiole above pulvinus 0.5–2.5 cm long, not vertically flattened; pinnae usually with more than 25 pairs of pinnules, not fleshy
Petiole above pulvinus 0.2–1 cm long, vertically flattened; pinnae with 9–30 pairs of pinnules, fleshy
Branchlets grey-puberulous to glabrous, often glaucous; leaves ±coriaceous, dark green on upper surface, paler below; pods 9–20 mm wide
Branchlets white- to golden-villous; leaves herbaceous, ±concolorous; pods 4–8 mm wide
Jugary glands present at base of apical and/or basal pairs of pinnae, not present at pinnae pairs towards middle of leaf
Jugary glands present at base of most or all pairs of pinnae
Heads of 15–30 flowers, golden; pinnules discolorous, usually 12–25 pairs, 1–1.5 mm wide
Heads of 15–50 flowers, usually pale yellow or cream, rarely deeper yellow; pinnules concolorous, 15–72 pairs, 0.4–0.7 mm wide
Heads 15–30-flowered; branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apices; petioles flattened vertically
Heads 20–40-flowered; branchlets ±terete or slightly angular, ridged; petioles not flattened vertically
Pinnules glabrous except for margins; branchlets appressed-puberulous, glabrescent
Pinnules densely hairy on lower surface; branchlets velvety-pubescent
Most pinnae with less than 10 pairs of pinnules
Pinnae with more than 10 pairs of pinnules
Heads yellow to golden
Heads cream to pale yellow
Pinnules ±concolorous, ±silvery glaucous
Pinnules discolorous, dark green and shiny above, paler below
Pinnules concolorous; petioles vertically flattened, deeply grooved
Pinnules discolorous, paler on lower surface; petioles not vertically flattened, not deeply grooved
Petioles 0.7–4.3 cm long; pinnae 1–8 pairs, 1.3–9 cm long
Petioles to 0.5 cm long; pinnae 3–13 pairs, 0.5–4.5 cm long
Pinnules discolorous, lower surface distinctly paler than upper surface
Pinnules ±concolorous
Branchlets with convoluted, winged ridges to 3 mm high
Branchlets ridged, not winged
Petiole above pulvinus 7–45 mm long; pinnules ±flat, shiny above
Petiole above pulvinus to 5 mm long; pinnules recurved, not shiny above
Branchlets with prominent winged ridges 0.5–2 mm high
Branchlets smooth or angled, if ridged then ridges not more than c. 0.2 mm high
Pinnules glaucous or silvery grey
Pinnules green
Branchlets terete with 4–6 ridges c. 0.2 mm high, glabrous, with numerous lenticels; young foliage tips blackish brown, almost glabrous
Branchlets terete to slightly flattened, sometimes angled to inconspicuously ridged, hairy to glabrous, not lenticellate; young foliage tips yellow to rust-coloured, densely hairy
Petiole flattened vertically, densely puberulous; leaf rachis flattened vertically; branchlets slightly flattened, acutely angled towards apex
Petiole and leaf rachis not flattened vertically, not densely hairy; branchlets almost terete to slightly angled
Interjugary glands present
Interjugary glands absent
Pinnules narrowly lanceolate to ovate, markedly acute to acuminate
Pinnules linear to oblong or cultrate, acute to rounded
Pinnules 11–28 pairs, lanate on both surfaces, sparser above; pods densely lanate
Pinnules 17–50 pairs, with white straight hairs below (but not lanate), glabrous above; pods subglabrous
Pinnules mostly > 4 mm long; heads dark yellow
Pinnules mostly < 4 mm long; heads pale yellow or cream
Pinnules discolorous, with lower surface paler than upper surface; bark smooth or fissured, grey-green or dark brown
Pinnules concolorous; bark smooth, very silvery or blue-grey
Pinnules discolorous, paler below
Pinnules ±concolorous on upper and lower surfaces
Branchlets with convoluted, winged ridges to 3 mm high
Branchlets ridged, not winged
Petiole above pulvinus 0.3–4.5 cm long
Leaves subsessile with basal pinnae arising less than 0.7 mm above pulvinus
Petiole above pulvinus 0.7–4.5 cm long; pinnules ±flat, shiny above
Petiole above pulvinus to 0.5 cm long; pinnules recurved, not shiny above
Most heads with less than 15 flowers; weeping shrub 1–5 m high
Heads with at least 15 flowers; tree 6–15 (–21) m high
Most pinnules > 5 mm long
Most pinnules < 5 mm long
Petiole above pulvinus vertically flattened, deeply grooved; heads cream-coloured
Petiole above pulvinus not vertically flattened or grooved; heads golden or yellow
Heads with more than 20 flowers; pinnae usually > 1.5 cm long
Most heads with less than 20 flowers; pinnae < 1.5 (–2) cm long (SE Qld)
Pinnae usually 3–6 pairs, 4–13 cm long; pinnules 10–28 pairs; heads 27–50-flowered, pale yellow (central coastal N.S.W.)
Pinnae usually 2–4 pairs, 1–4.5 cm long; pinnules 4–12 pairs; heads 20–35-flowered, golden (SE Qld
Leaves with 1–5 pairs of pinnae
Leaves with more than 5 pairs of pinnae
Most heads with less than 20 flowers; petiole 0.1–0.6 cm long; leaves silvery-glaucous
Heads with 30–45 flowers; leaves subsessile, with basal pinnae arising ±immediately above pulvinus; leaves dark green
Heads golden or yellow, 16–32-flowered; leaves dark green, with petiole above pulvinus mostly 0.5–1.7 cm long, vertically flattened
Heads pale yellow, 14–18-flowered; leaves pale green, subsessile, with basal pinnae arising ±immediately above pulvinus
Leaves all with a single pair of pinnae (SW W.A.)
Some or all leaves with more than 1 pair of pinnae
Pinnules prominently recurved to revolute
Pinnules flat
Leaf axis clearly continuous and decurrent with branchlet; terminal seta robust and spinose; stipules spinose
Leaf axis not continuous and decurrent with branchlet; terminal seta and stipules not spinose
Inflorescences borne on axillary spines; pinnules 2 pairs per pinna, 6–10 mm long
Inflorescences arising from within axil of leaves; pinnule characters not combined as above
Peduncles glabrous; axillary spines absent
Peduncles hairy
Heads 16–50-flowered; peduncles 2–12 mm long; axillary spines present or absent
Acacia heads 50–75-flowered; peduncles 10–25 mm long; axillary spines absent
Axillary spines present (sometimes few)
Axillary spines absent (stipules occasionally spinose)
Peduncles 1–2 mm long
Peduncles > 2 mm long
Pinnules ±glaucous; stipitate gland normally not more than 0.5 mm long; seeds mottled, transverse to oblique
Pinnules green; stipitate gland 1–2 mm long; seeds not mottled, longitudinal
Peduncles glabrous
Peduncles hairy (hairs often minute)
Heads 10–40 (–60)-flowered; peduncles rarely > 15 mm long; branchlets often glabrous
Heads 80–90-flowered; peduncles 15–25 mm long; branchlets pubescent to villous
Inflorescences borne on the axillary spines; pods 7–12 mm wide
Inflorescences arising from within axil of leaves; pods 1.5–5 mm wide
Branchlet hairs patent, absent, or if appressed then antrorse
Branchlet hairs retrorsely appressed
Petiole 5–25 mm long; branchlets not spinose; pinnae 10–40 mm long
Petiole to 5 mm long OR if longer then branchlets spinose; pinnae to 30 mm long
Flowers 5-merous; heads c. 20-flowered; pinnules 5–11 mm long
Flowers 4-merous; heads 2–8-flowered; pinnules 8–20 mm long
Prostrate shrubs; petiole 3–4 mm long; branchlets obviously spinose
Erect shrubs; petiole usually to 2 mm long; branchlets innocuous or coarsely spinose
Peduncles hairy
Peduncles glabrous
Flowers in cylindrical spikes
Flowers in globular heads
Gland at distal end of petiole, sessile
Gland within axil of pinnae, stipitate
Pinnae mostly with 2 pairs of pinnules; heads 10–13-flowered
Pinnae with 3–10 pairs of pinnules; heads 20–43-flowered
Gland on rachis at base of pinnae, sessile; pinnae 10–30 mm long; pinnules 4–10 mm long
Gland within axil of pinnae stipitate; pinnae usually 5–12 mm long; pinnules 2–5 mm long
Gland sessile; pinnae 10–30 mm long; pinnules 4–10 mm long
Flowers in cylindrical spikes (SW W.A.)
Flowers in globular or obloid heads
Pinnules flat or margins slightly recurved
Pinnules prominently recurved to revolute
Pinnules glabrous or sometimes minutely hairy on margins
Pinnules ±conspicuously hairy, with hairs not restricted to margins
Spikes cream to very pale yellow; gland usually absent from petiole, present on rachis at base of pinnae
Spikes usually golden; gland present on petiole, present or absent on rachis
Hairs on peduncles retrorsely appressed, rarely patent; gland absent from rachis at base of pinnae; seeds light brown
Hairs on peduncles patent, rarely absent; gland often present on rachis at base of pinnae; seeds dark brown to black
Branchlets glabrous (SW W.A.)
Branchlets hairy (indumentum sometimes sparse)
Pinnules prominently revolute
Pinnules flat or margins slightly recurved
Pinnae mostly with 4 or 5 pairs of pinnules; rachis to 10 mm long
Pinnae mostly with 2 or 3 pairs of pinnules; rachis 2–4 mm long
Heads golden; branchlets not prominently ribbed
Heads cream to pale yellow; branchlets prominently ribbed
Flowers 4-merous; heads white, 2–8-flowered
Flowers 5-merous; heads cream to golden, more than 10-flowered
Leaves large (pinnae 2–5 pairs, rachis 10–55 mm long, distal pinnae 25–80 mm long with 12–30 pairs of ±sessile pinnules)
Leaves smaller than above; pinnules petiolulate
Heads 28–35-flowered
Heads 12–26-flowered; gland absent on distal pinnae
Gland (small & sessile) normally present on distal pinnae at base of uppermost 1 or 2 pairs of pinnules; stipules persistent, 2.5–4 mm long; pods 6–8 mm wide (near Albany to Fitzgerald River Natl Park, W.A.)
Gland absent from distal pinnae; stipules mostly caducous, 1–2 mm long; pods 7–11 mm wide (near Dunsborough, W.A.)
Heads twinned on extremely reduced raceme axes, with 1–3 racemes in each leaf axil (Esperance district, W.A.)
Heads not on racemes, 1 or 2 in each axil (near Perth to Albany, W.A.)
Sepals free (eastern Aust.)
Sepals united, at least in lower half (SW W.A.)
Peduncles hairy to some degree
Peduncles completely glabrous
Pinnules flat or with margins slightly recurved
Pinnules prominently recurved to revolute
Petiole 6–17 mm long; pinnules 5–11 × 3–5 mm, hirsute below, glabrous above; prostrate shrubs
Petiole c. 1 mm long; pinnules not as above; erect shrubs
Heads 40–55-flowered, golden; pinnules 6–15 mm long
Heads 14–21-flowered, creamy white to pale yellow; pinnules 2–6 mm long
Leaves large (pinnae 3–6 pairs, rachis 15–55 mm long; distal pinnae 15–50 mm long with 7–13 pairs of ±sessile pinnules)
Leaves smaller than above; pinnules petiolulate
Heads globular
Heads obloid
Leaves clearly continuous and decurrent with branchlet; petiole absent (proximal pinnae arising at junction of leaf axis and branchlet)
Leaves not continuous and decurrent with branchlet; petiole present but short (1–2 mm long)
Heads 40–55-flowered; bracteole hairs long (c. 1.5 mm); peduncle hairs short (< 0.5 mm); pods very undulate; shrubs erect
Heads 16–30-flowered; bracteole hairs shorter than above; peduncle hairs normally c. 1 mm long; pods flat
Heads light golden; shrubs ±prostrate
Heads cream to pale yellow; shrubs erect
Heads golden; gland (small
Heads cream to pale yellow; gland (small
Branchlet hairs to 1 mm long and ±uniform in length
Branchlet hairs 1.5–3 mm long but often intermixed with much shorter ones
Pinnules mostly 9–12 mm long, variably recurved, hairy; peduncles mostly c. 20 mm long; bracteoles with long spreading hairs (Mt Lesueur, W.A.)
Characters not combined as above (S of Mt Lesueur, W.A.)
Pinnules flat, finely and densely hairy on both surfaces, grey-green, concolorous
Pinnule characters not combined as above
Heads twinned on extremely reduced raceme axes, 1–3 racemes in each leaf axil (Esperance district, W.A.)
Heads not on racemes, 1 or 2 in each axil (near Perth to Albany, W.A.)
Peduncles 5–15 mm long at anthesis; heads 12–21-flowered
Peduncles 10–30 mm long at anthesis; heads 24–43-flowered
Gland (small & sessile) usually present on distal pinnae at base of uppermost 1–4 pairs of pinnules; distal pinnae 10–30 mm long with 3–10 pairs of glabrous pinnules
Gland absent from distal pinnae; distal pinnae 6–20 mm long with 2–6 pairs of normally sparsely hairy pinnules