Showy wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Showy wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
decora
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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The Acacia decora, also known as the Showy Wattle or Western Silver Wattle, is a beautiful plant that grows naturally in eastern Australia. Its name, decora, comes from a word meaning 'decorative', which perfectly describes its pretty look.
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What is the Showy Wattle?
This plant is usually a shrub, which is like a large bush. It can grow to be about 1 to 4 meters (3 to 13 feet) tall. It often grows straight up or spreads out. Its branches are reddish to brown and have a slight angle. When they are young, they have tiny hairs, but as they get older, they become smooth.
Leaves and Flowers of the Showy Wattle
Like most plants in the Acacia family, the Showy Wattle doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes look like leaves and do the same job. They are usually thin and shaped like a narrow oval or a spoon. They can be from 1.5 to 5 centimeters (0.6 to 2 inches) long and 2 to 7 millimeters (0.08 to 0.28 inches) wide. Each phyllode has a clear main vein down the middle.
The Showy Wattle blooms with bright yellow flowers between April and October. These flowers grow in groups of 5 to 15. Each group has round flower-heads, which are about 4.5 to 6 millimeters (0.18 to 0.24 inches) across. Each flower-head is packed with 15 to 30 tiny, bright yellow flowers.
Where Does the Showy Wattle Grow?
The Showy Wattle is found along the eastern coast of Australia. Its range stretches from northern Queensland all the way down to Victoria.
In New South Wales, you'll mostly find it west of the Great Dividing Range. In Queensland, it grows closer to the coast. It's often seen in dry, semi-desert areas in New South Wales, Victoria, and throughout Queensland. Sometimes, it can also be found in wetter areas, especially in dry sclerophyll forests. These are forests with tough, leathery-leaved plants.
The plant's natural home goes from near Cooktown in the north to the Warby Range in Victoria in the south. It likes to grow in stony, sandy soils and is often part of Eucalyptus woodland communities.
How to Grow Showy Wattle
The Showy Wattle is a strong plant that can handle many different conditions. It grows best in soil that drains water well. It also likes to be in a sunny spot or a place with some shade.
You can grow new Showy Wattle plants from seeds. However, the seeds need a special treatment before you plant them. This can be done by scratching the seed coat a little (called scarification) or by soaking them in boiling water. This helps the seeds sprout more easily.
