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Synonyms: Racosperma oxycedrus (Sieber ex DC.) Pedley APNI*
Acacia taxifolia Lodd. APNI*

Description: Erect or spreading shrub 1–3 m high; bark smooth or finely fissured, grey-brown; branchlets ± terete, at first densely hairy, glabrescent. Stipules ± spinescent, 1–4 mm long.

Phyllodes sometimes whorled or clustered, rigid, ± lanceolate, straight or slightly curved, 1.5–4 cm long, 2–6 mm wide, usually 3 or 4 longitudinal veins prominent, the upper vein becoming marginal towards the pungent-pointed apex; glands absent; pulvinus < 1 mm long.

Inflorescences 1–3 in axil of phyllodes; peduncles 2–7 mm long, hairy; heads cylindrical, 2–3 cm long, bright yellow or pale yellow. Flowers 4-merous.

Pods straight or very slightly curved, terete (compressed or raised over seeds when dry), straight-sided to slightly constricted between seeds, 4–10 cm long, 3–6 mm wide, firmly leathery to subwoody, longitudinally wrinkled-ridged when dry, sparsely minutely hairy to subglabrous; seeds longitudinal; funicle short and folded once or twice with a cup-shaped aril.

Illustration W.J.Hooker

Flower Photo T.M. Tame

Herbarium Sheet

Flowering: July–October.

Distribution and occurrence: chiefly in the Sydney region, south from Glenorie; record from Mount Talbragar near Dubbo (Central Western Slopes) of uncertain status.

Grows in dry sclerophyll forest and heath, in sandy soil.
NSW subdivisions: CC, SC, ?CWS
Other Australian states: Vic. S.A.

AVH map***

The name refers to the species likeness to a prickly cedar. Similar to Acacia rhigiophylla which has shorter and narrower reflexed phyllodes and glabrous peduncles. A number of natural hybrids have been recorded between A. oxycedrus and A. longifolia (both subspecies), A. mucronata var. longifolia (described as A. mucronata var. acuta) and A. floribunda.