Acacia mucronata, the variable sallow wattle or narrow-leaved wattle, is a shrub or small tree to 5 m high. It is native to southeast Australia, mainly the states of Tasmania and Victoria (where it is widespread and common in forests and woodland, mostly south of the Great Dividing Range). It often grows as an understorey tree or shrub in eucalypt forest or as a dominant in scrubland. In drier regions of its distribution, like in northeast Tasmania, it often grows along creeks and sheltered coastlines.
There are 3 subspecies: Acacia mucronata subsp. longifolia is distinguished from the other 2 subspecies (both apparently Tasmanian endemics) in having phyllodes usually more than 9 cm long (rarely less than 10 times as long as wide) and usually acute. This is reflected in the specific epithet mucronata, i.e. 'mucronate, pointed'.
The flowers of A. mucronata are in loose spikes 1–6 cm long, solitary or twinned, creamy white or pale yellow; the rachis is visible between the flowers. It flowers in spring, usually August to December.[1] [2]