Varnish Wattle, although common in woodland and forest areas locally is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) in Victoria. It is a fast growing shrub that is single or multi-branched ranging in size from 3-5m. Its new growth produces gently weeping branchlets and the foliage (actually flattened stems called phyllodes) have a slightly sticky, varnish quality. Young plants are quite dense but opening up as they mature to provide light screening. Along our coast this plant grows in sites where it receives protection from salt winds such as the woodland areas nearing Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve . It is common further inland on Bones and Addiscott Roads where it is found in association with Messmate, as well as in the Ironbark Basin and forest areas further southwest.
Flowers are bright yellow and cylindrical, appearing in profusion in late winter spring.
Seed pods also have a varnish quality to them appearing in early summer.
Many small woodland birds have been observed using it as habitat.
Able to tolerate dry soils.