Where is the wattle found?

Acacia termanarlis subsp eastern Sydney is found mostly in eastern Sydney but its range extends through New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Sunshine Wattle is found in open coastal eucalypt woodland or forest, usually in sandy soil on creek banks, hill-slopes or in shallow soil in rock crevices and sandstone platforms on cliffs (NSW DEC 2005b; World Wide Wattle 2005).

What are the threats faced by the Sunshine Wattle?

The greatest threat to Sunshine Wattle is habitat loss due to urban development and clearing. This species' habitat is also being degraded through rubbish dumping, weed invasion, and access by people. Recreational use of the area and park management may affect Sunshine Wattle, since some plants are growing at the edge of walking tracks and roads (NSW DEC 2005b).

Inappropriate fire regimes may threaten some populations (NSW DEC 2005b).

What species need the Sunshine Wattle?

Sunshine Wattle flowers in autumn, and is pollinated by small birds and bees. The seeds mature in November and are dispersed by ants. Recruitment in this species mainly occurs after fire (NSW DEC 2005b).

How is the Sunshine Wattle different from other Acacia species?

Sunshine Wattle is a slender or spreading shrub, occasionally a small tree, growing to 6 m high. The flower heads are cream-coloured, pale yellow or golden yellow, and the seed pods are 3–11 cm long (NSW DEC 2005b; Orchard & Wilson 2001). Sunshine Wattle differs from other subspecies of A. terminalis by being hairier and possessing a thicker flower stalk and wider seed pods (NSW DEC 2005b).