Acacia alata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia alata |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
alata
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia alata (common name: winged wattle) is a shrub belonging to the genus Acacia.
Contents
Description
Acacia alata is a frost-hardy, large, multi-branched shrub, typically growing to a height of 0.3 to 2.1 metres (1.0 to 6.9 ft) and 1 m (3.3 ft) across. Its branchlets are often bent alternately in different directions.
The phyllodes (modified petioles) are reduced in size and give the impression of cladodes (branches that resemble leaves). The wings of these phyllodes are usually 2 to 20 millimetres (0.08 to 0.79 in) wide and 5 to 70 mm (0.20 to 2.76 in) long. Furthermore, each phyllode extends into a spine. Tolerate frosts to −7 °C (19 °F).
A. alata blooms between April and December. The inflorescence is simple with mostly two flowers per axil, but sometimes distributed in racemes. The globular heads contain 4 to 15 flowers. These flowers can be white, cream-coloured or golden yellow. The last flower form is preferred for cultivation.
Classification
The species was first formally described by the botanist Robert Brown in 1813 in William Townsend Aiton's work Hortus Kewensis.
Four varieties are recognized :
- Acacia alata var. alata
- Acacia alata var. biglandulosa
- Acacia alata var. platyptera
- Acacia alata var. tetrantha
Distribution
The species is distributed throughout the west coast Western Australia from north of Geraldton to south around Albany. It grows in a variety of soils types in areas near streams, rocky hills, salt pans and clay flats.
See also
In Spanish: Acacia alata para niños
