The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially announced as Australia's national floral emblem in 1988. This tree occurs in south-eastern Australia from South Australia’s southern Eyre Peninsula into western Victoria and northwards into inland areas of southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Its fragrant, fluffy, golden-yellow flowers flourish during late winter and spring, and in this way the national colours are painted across Australia.
Wattles are vital components of Australia's many and varied ecosystems with their proven capacity to take up nitrogen from the soil through an association with soil bacteria. Golden Wattle has been grown in temperate regions around the world for the tannin in its bark, which provides the highest yield of all the wattles. The scented flowers are being utilised for perfume making. Timber from wattles is used for high quality furniture. Wattles are often used as initial re-plantings in areas being re-vegetated and they are among the first plants to regenerate after fire.
Indigenous Australians used wattles routinely for a very wide range of purposes: from food and medicines, to utensils such as digging sticks and barbs, weapons (clubs, shields, boomerangs, spear throwers, spear shafts and heads), for musical instruments such as clap sticks; firewood, ash, glues, string, dyes and waterproofing, sandals and head decorations, ceremonial items and seasonal signals.
The National Wattle Day is now celebrated on the 1st of September every year. You can find out more about that here; http://www.wattleday.asn.au/