denyr1 - You are dead right there. A FOAF in the saame boat as I was had some hair raising experiences many moons ago and learnt his lesson, in hospital, and so did I as an observer! Thankfully over the last decade I have gotten back on track and can now re-explore regions previously left un-touched, with due caution and preparation of course. I recently was permitted an experience with this spice and had no problems at all except the usual, initial anxiety of trying something "new", which soon dissipated as I surrendered.
I am no longer depressed, I'm happy with my life and it's direction now and am definitely in the best space I have been in for a very long time and would like to look deeper into this molecule. I am far from hippy, but I do have a great deal of respect for nature and our ecosystem after seeing it decimated in the past.
Shame about the phalaris Shane, it looked quite promising and I have heard/read some good reports. Age of plant, time from cutting to extraction and method all affect the end result but from your experiences, I think I'll leave it alone! Cheers for the warning!
I see many many acacia's along our freeways here in WA and some others at random locations around the suburbs and I have included a couple of pictures that may assist. From most reports I have read, you have to travel a good 2-3hrs out of the city to find the right species but seeing what I have seen recently I believe acuminata has been used quite extensively as a tool for nitrogen fixing of overworked soils and as erosion stabilisation on embankments.
Is my understanding that acuminata phylodes and twigs aren't really viable until the plant has reached 5yrs of age a correct one?
I have read page upon page of information and I think in the end I just have to ask the question, get some ID's and hopefully be able to pass on the knowledge to others.
The first 2 pictures are of a younger tree, still greenish in skin colour, planted amongst eucalyptus. The last 2 are of an older tree but def not acuminata as it doesn't have the curved "hooks" at the tips of the phylodes common to that species and is JUST starting to flower.
Many thanks, I hope I can help fellow Sandgropers in their quests!
