Acacia cowleana, Halls Creek wattle,[1] is a northern Australian native shrub. It is a flowering plant with yellow flowers that only open in winter.[2] Its origin is the Northern Australia's dry tropics.[3] It belongs to the genus of Acacia.
It is a small tree of height 1–7 metres (6–12 feet) with large grey phyllodes and yellow rod flowers.[4] Its bark is fibrous. The phyllodes are 80 to 200 mm long by 10–30 mm wide and curved.[5]
The shrub grows in woodlands with spinifex at Beulah Station near Enngonia.[6] Its growth is medium-fast. It easily grows from seed but has a short life span.[7] It is a reliable shrub for temperate to arid climates in reasonably well drained soils. Though not generally considered to be endangered, the species is regarded as rare in New South Wales.[5] [6] It is not commonly cultivated, though it is reported to be grown in California.[5]
The Walmajarri people of the Paruku IPA in the Kimberley call this wattle parta. Other Aboriginal names are: Alyawarr: alerrey; Anmatyerr: alkart; Jaru: barrabi. Kaytetye: elkerte; Pintupi Luritja: kilkiti; Waramangu: kalkkarti; and Warlpiri: kalkardi, parrapi.