Common name: Silver Wattle.

Scientific name: Acacia dealbata Link.

Family: Mimosaceae

Distribution and Habitat: Its origins are Southeast Australia and Tasmania. Cultivated in Madeira as a forestal and ornamental species, it is now considered to be a very dangerous invader.

Description: This tree can reach a height of 30 m and its trunk has a smooth bark. The branches, the twigs and the leafage are silver white. The leaves are tripinnate, with 20 to 25 pairs of leaflets and several glands. The end blossoms have 30 to 40 yellow flowers. The fruit is a long pod with 4 to 10 cm in length.

Conservation statute and Threats: -

Observations: Since it is considered an infesting species being responsible for the loss of the floristic diversity of the ecosystems, a campaign to eradicate it is being carried out in the Funchal Ecological Park. Blooming season occurs mostly in winter.