Silver Wattle

Silver Wattle (Acacia spp) is an evergreen shrub or small tree from the Fabaceae family. It is native to southeastern Australia but has either been introduced or has become an invasive weed in other areas of the world. In the United States, the plant is found in parts of California.

Silver wattle has ferny, twice-compound silvery-grey or bluish--green leaves and produces masses of fragrant, showy yellow or golden-yellow flowers in the spring. The fruits are elongated and flattened pods.

All parts of Acacia spp are considered toxic to horses. It contains cyanogenic glycosides prunasin and sambunigrin ((S)-prunasin). The amount of toxins present in the plant varies depending on certain environmental conditions. Usually, silver wattle and other plants containing cyanogenic glycosides are unpalatable to horses, but cases have occurred.