North Brother Wattle - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Acacia courtii

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 10 Jul 2026

Profile last updated: 10 Jul 2026

Description

The North Brother Wattle is a tall shrub or weeping tree 7 - 20 m high. The bark is smooth and grey when young and later becomes black and furrowed. Small branches are a maroon brown colour. The leaves are dull green and narrow, up to 18 cm long, and have a small gland on the leaf edge just above the stem. From late spring to mid-summer spikes of pale yellow globular flowers are produced followed by straight or curved, narrow woody pods up to 18 cm long.

Distribution

The North Brother Wattle is found only in the Laurieton district on the north coast of NSW, occurring on North Brother, Middle Brother and South Brother Mountains.

Habitat and ecology

North Brother Wattle usually grows on steep, dry, rocky slopes and in mixed dry forest on shallow soils, often under a canopy of White Mahogany and Grey Gum.
Flowers from November to January

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

NSW North Coast

Threats

Risk of local extinction due to low numbers.
Inappropriate disturbance regimes, particularly fire.
Road construction.
Creation of disturbance which is both beneficial and negative. Can be beneficial when it creates an environment for them to germinate.
Lantana encroaching the Acacia courtii habitat.
Killing or damaging trees through illegal stripping of bark.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 21 priority actions to help recover the North Brother Wattle in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Manage disturbance to encourage appropriate levels of regeneration.
Protect habitat from road construction.
Notify the OEH of any new occurrences.
Manage fire regimes to ensure long-term viability of species.

Information sources

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Kodela, P.G. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Acacia. Pp 381-476 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
Tindale, M.D. and Herscovitch, C. (1990) Acacia courtii, a new species from eastern New South Wales (Acacia sect. Juliflorae: Fabaceae). Telopea 4(1): 115-119