Acacia anasilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia anasilla |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
anasilla
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Acacia anasilla is a special kind of shrub from the Acacia family. It's a type of wattle that only grows in the northwestern part of Australia. This plant is known for its unique, spindly look and small leaves. It's an endemic plant, meaning it's found naturally only in this specific area.
Meet the Spindly Wattle!
This Acacia is a tall, thin shrub that usually grows about 1.5 to 2 metres (5 to 7 ft) (around 5 to 6.5 feet) high. It has small leaves that are sticky (called viscid) and grow in circles around the stem (whorled). Its stems are covered in dense white hairs (hispid).
The plant has tiny leaf-like parts called stipules, which are about 1.5 to 2 mm (0.059 to 0.079 in) long. Each whorl has 15 to 20 thin, straight phyllodes. Phyllodes are like flattened leaf stems that act as leaves. The lower ones stand straight up, while the upper ones spread out a bit. These phyllodes are 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) long and have a small, curved tip (called a mucro) that is 2 to 4 mm (0.079 to 0.157 in) long.
In July, Acacia anasilla blooms with bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in round clusters (inflorescences) that are packed with 40 to 50 tiny yellow blossoms. After flowering, it produces flat, long seed pods. These pods are 2 to 3.5 cm (0.79 to 1.38 in) long and 5 to 6 mm (0.20 to 0.24 in) wide. Each pod holds about 3 to 10 seeds.
How Scientists Named It
A scientist named Alexander Segger George, who studies plants (a botanist), first officially described Acacia anasilla in 1999. He wrote about it in a scientific paper called Seven new species in Acacia section Lycopodiifolia (Mimosaceae).
Later, in 2003, another botanist, Leslie Pedley, moved it to a different group called Racosperma anasillum. But then, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group.
The very first sample of this plant, called the type specimen, was collected in 1989 by K.A.Menkhorst. It was found near Winnimarra Spring at Mabel Downs Station. Acacia anasilla looks quite similar to two other wattle species: Acacia lycopodiifolia and Acacia smeringa.
Where Does It Grow?
This special wattle is found only in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It likes to grow in dry, rocky areas, often on quartzite ranges or on slopes made of granite or sandstone.
You can often find it growing as part of open Eucalyptus brevifolia woodland communities. These are areas where Eucalyptus trees grow, but they are not too close together. Early discoveries of Acacia anasilla were made around Halls Creek and near the Ord River.
