Swamp wattle

Also known as: Acacia retinodes, wirilda

Soil: dry, sandy soil, but also tolerates boggy areas and occasional flooding

Climate: tolerates full sun, shade, and light frosts

Feed value: seeds approximately 26% protein, more fibre than soybeans (32%)

Fast-growing swamp wattle does well in dry to boggy conditions.

It’s puffy yellow flowers emerge in spring, and the nectar is popular with bees, butterflies, and birds.

It grows to around 5-8m, with a 5m-wide canopy, but if pruned (after flowering), it forms a compact bush.

The nutritious seedpods are high in protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and unsaturated fats. The flowers are edible (and taste good fried in batter).

Swamp wattle's seed pods are up to 18cm long and contain nutritious, high-protein seeds. The seeds can be eaten by people, birds, and stock, and ground up to make a caffeine-free coffee-like drink.