wattle

Wattle is a term with several distinct meanings in biology, ornithology, and traditional construction. In Australian usage, wattle most often refers to Acacia species, a diverse group of shrubs and trees that produce pale yellow to golden flowers. The golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha, is particularly notable as Australia’s national floral emblem and a symbol of the country’s identity. Wattles are valued for ornamental use, timber, tannins, and land rehabilitation in some regions.

In botany, wattles can describe any plant within the Acacia group, many of which are evergreen, drought-tolerant, and adapted to a range of climates. The genus name Acacia has undergone reclassification in some regions, with related species moved to other genera, but the common name wattle persists in everyday language and horticultural practice.

In ornithology, a wattle is a fleshy caruncle on the head or neck of certain birds, such as chickens, turkeys, and some species of pigeons and peafowl. Wattles vary in color and size and often change with temperature or mood. They are used in social signaling, mating displays, and, in some species, thermoregulation.

Wattle and daub is also a traditional building technique that uses a lattice of interwoven wooden strips (the wattle) daubed with a mixture of mud, clay, straw, and other materials. This method has ancient roots and has been employed worldwide in various forms of vernacular architecture.