Hi All, I'm a long-time ethnobotanical enthusiast returning to the path after a period of time with other focus. I've been a long time reader of the nexus and other forums when I've had the bandwidth to take it all in.

15-20 years ago when I started collecting interesting plants i purchased some seed and planted Acacia maidenii, Acacia florabunda and some unknown Acacias in my garden and the trees are all vigorous and healthy.

I've been inspired by recent discussions to start investigating if the plants in my garden are active, when i planted them there was no real discussion regarding phyllode thickness or other potential markers of activity / potency.

I loped a branch off one of the floribundas about 6 months ago as the branch was blocking the driveway, is it worth stripping and processing the bark if its been out in the garden in the sun drying out for all that time, or should i focus on the phyllodes / twigs?

Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and get a pointer or two now that I'm returning to the path.

Cheers,
P

Hi phytogenesis,

If you've already lopped it off, might as well strip the bark as well as using phyllodes and twigs. The thing with Floribunda is there are several different sub species not all as active as others. There is a domestic type with short-thin phyllodes, lemon yellow/orange flowers in winter that is not really active compared to wild type Floribundas that have long, slightly thinker phyllodes and very white bushy flowers in winter.

Depending where you are a lot of Maidenii has finished flowering now which can be a perfect time to test it for alkaloids. Look forward to hearing your results. Also if you need ID on the other species, just post some pics here. I also recommend my 'Invocacia Method' tek for acacia phyllodes/twigs: https://www.dmt-nexus.me/forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=77618

cheers,

Flux

Hi Flux, thanks for your reply. I've been readying though your invoca method with interest of late.

Really short of testing i wont know. I have a few other Acacias that were planted round the garden which I've forgoten what they are. Some look like Floribunda, others I'm not sure. I'll keep an eye out for flowers this Spring.

My maidenii flowered in November I think, I'll snap a pic tomorrow and send it through. I grew it from seed i purchased from a reputable native seed supplier so if that counts for anything it should be maidenii.

Thanks for your help and insight.