Acacia ramulosa
Family: Fabaceae
Shrub growing 2 to 4m high with a rounded habit. The phyllodes (modified leaves) point upwards and are narrow and pointed. The bright yellow flowers are cylindrical in shape. They usually appear in cooler weather particularly after rainfall events.
The pods hang downwards, often in clusters which gives the appearance of a horse’s tail. They are very distinctive - grey in colour with brown longitudinal stripes. The seeds were eaten by some Aboriginal people.
Horse mulga grows in sandy areas, often near salt lakes or in sand above limestone.
Where to find this plant at Alice Springs Desert Park
These shrubs are currently located in the Sand Country habitat.
Source:
Latz, P., 2004. Bushfires and Bushtucker, IAD Press, Alice Springs
Moore, P., 2005. A guide to plants of Inland Australia, Reed New Holland, Sydney
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:257618