National Flower Of Australia

The Golden Wattle, Australia’s national flower, embodies the country’s identity with its vibrant green and gold colors. Officially recognized as the national floral emblem since the 1980s, this member of the Fabaceae family is native to Southeast Australia. While various regions have their own state flowers, the Golden Wattle unites the nation as its singular floral symbol.

Though it doesn’t grow in the whole country, the golden wattle has come to be the single official national floral emblem encompassing the whole country.

Other flowers in their own right are very important to particular regions of Australia, but the golden wattle is the official national emblem.

Let’s find out more.

 

What is the national flower of Australia?

The national flower of Australia is the golden wattle.

 

The tree from which this flower comes is officially known as the Acacia pycnantha.

The flowers are profuse and fragrant, appearing in the late winter and early spring mostly in the southern region of the country.

These flowers, known for their profuse and fragrant nature, are primarily found in the southeastern regions of Australia, including areas from the Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges, across Victoria, and into parts of New South Wales.

While they are a symbol of national unity, their natural occurrence is more abundant in the southeast compared to other parts of the country

In their natural habitat, these trees often grow in the understory of open eucalypt forests, thriving in shallow soil.

They have become naturalized in other areas, but southern Australia is their original, natural range.

The bark of the Golden Wattle varies from grey to dark brown, with a smoother texture in younger plants that becomes rougher as they age.

Unique to mature trees are phyllodes – flat, widened leaf stems that replace true leaves and dangle from the branches.

The Golden Wattle experiences most of its growth during the Australian spring and summer, from October to January.

Flower buds are produced throughout the year at the tips of new growth, but it’s primarily those formed between November and May that blossom.

The peak flowering period spans from July to November.

The flower clusters, which are the emblematic feature of the Golden Wattle, consist of 40 to 80 individual yellow inflorescences.

Each cluster forms a spherical structure, comprising up to 100 small flowers, each with five tiny petals.

This distinctive appearance is not only visually striking but also symbolically represents Australia’s national colors and spirit.

Why, then, is this the national flower of Australia?

 

Why is the golden wattle the national flower of Australia?

There are many reasons why the Golden Wattle flower (Acacia pycnantha) is a perfect candidate for Australia’s national flower and floral emblem.

Of course, there is the simple fact that Australia is its natural and original range.

This decision was not just based on its natural and original range in Australia, particularly in the southeast, but also on its broader presence across the country, symbolizing national unity.

The resilience of the Golden Wattle, ideally suited to Australia’s diverse climate, is a key factor in its emblematic status.

Capable of withstanding harsh conditions such as prolonged droughts, strong winds, and frequent bushfires, the Golden Wattle mirrors the enduring spirit and hardiness of the Australian people.

This ability to thrive in Australia’s challenging environment makes it a fitting representation of the nation’s character.

 

Historical Context of the Golden Wattle’s Selection

The journey to the Golden Wattle’s official recognition as the national floral emblem is rooted in Australia’s history and identity.

In the spirit of national and patriotic fervor around the time of Federation in 1901, there was a growing public interest in Australian symbols.

Archibald Campbell, who founded a Wattle Club in Victoria in 1899, was instrumental in promoting the Wattle as a symbol of patriotism.

His efforts, along with others, led to the establishment of Wattle Day demonstrations, fostering recognition of the flower as a national symbol.

The formal proclamation of the Golden Wattle as Australia’s national floral emblem was made by the Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, on 19 August 1988, with the Gazettal dated 1 September 1988.

This proclamation at the Australian National Botanic Gardens marked the culmination of a century-long journey of the Golden Wattle from a patriotic symbol to an official national emblem.

The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially proclaimed as Australia’s national floral emblem on 19 August 1988, a choice that reflects its deep-rooted significance in the Australian identity.

The tradition of Wattle Day, which dates back to 1899, further cements the Golden Wattle’s role as a symbol of solidarity and national pride.

Celebrated on the first day of September each year, Wattle Day is a time when Australians wear a sprig of wattle to show their connection to the country and to each other.

This long-standing tradition highlights the Golden Wattle’s enduring importance in Australian culture and history.

 

The Golden Wattle in Official Australian Symbols

The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) extends its significance beyond the natural landscape, playing a pivotal role in various official Australian symbols and designs.

Its vibrant green and gold colors are not only a representation of the Australian environment but also a key element in the nation’s identity and heritage.

On Currency and Stamps

The Golden Wattle has been featured in the design of Australian stamps and currency, showcasing its status as a national emblem.

These designs reflect its importance in the everyday life of Australians and its recognition at a national level.

 

Commonwealth Coat of Arms

Perhaps most notably, the Golden Wattle is present in the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

This inclusion symbolizes its integral role in representing the unity and identity of Australia.

The Coat of Arms, used to identify the authority and property of the Australian Government, Parliament, and Commonwealth courts, features the Golden Wattle as a backdrop, highlighting its national significance.

 

Order of Australia

The emblem of the Order of Australia, an honor that recognizes Australian citizens for outstanding achievement and service, features a single wattle flower.

This further cements the Golden Wattle’s position as a symbol of national pride and achievement.

Through these various representations, the Golden Wattle transcends its botanical roots, becoming a symbol deeply ingrained in the cultural and official fabric of Australia.

 

How big do golden wattle get?

Golden Wattle trees, known scientifically as Acacia pycnantha, exhibit a range of sizes, typically growing as small to medium-sized trees.

They commonly reach heights between 4 and 8 meters, adapting well to various Australian landscapes.

These trees are known for their resilience, thriving in conditions that include droughts, winds, and bushfires, which are characteristic of the Australian environment.

In some instances, particularly in non-native environments like Morocco, Golden Wattles have been observed to grow taller, reaching up to approximately 12 feet (around 3.6 meters).

However, such heights are less common in their native Australian habitats.

The majority of Golden Wattle trees tend to be closer to the lower end of their height range, particularly in drier conditions where achieving greater heights can be more challenging.

The growth pattern of Golden Wattles is influenced by the environmental conditions of their specific locations, especially in southern Australia.

In these regions, staying closer to the ground can be a more viable strategy for survival, aligning with the adaptive nature of these trees to the diverse Australian climates.

 

What are the flowers for each state in Australia?

There is a flower for each region in Australia beyond the golden wattle.

• Australian Capital Territory: Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa)
• New South Wales: Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)
• Northern Territory: Sturt’s Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum)
• Queensland: Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium phalaenopsis)
• South Australia: Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa)
• Tasmania: Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
• Victoria: Common Heath (Epacris impressa)
• Western Australia: Red and Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii)

 

So, again, while the golden wattle is the national flower, there is also a different flower for each individual region.

The golden wattle, then, is a very important national emblem in Australia even to those places where it doesn’t grow. It stands as the official floral emblem of the country and features in many different aspects of Australian symbolism.

It would be an omission not to mention, though, that every state does have its own flower as well and these all form an important part of national iconography.