Acacia densiflora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia densiflora |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
densiflora
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia densiflora is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia plant family. It is also known as a wattle. This plant is found only in a specific area of southwestern Australia, meaning it is endemic there.
What it Looks Like
This shrub is usually quite dense and has a strong smell. It typically grows to be about 0.4 to 1.2 meters (1.3 to 3.9 feet) tall. Its branches are covered with soft, woolly hairs.
Like most Acacia plants, Acacia densiflora has special leaf-like parts called phyllodes instead of true leaves. These phyllodes are always green and stand upright. They are straight, flat, and narrow.
The phyllodes are stiff and smooth, without hairs. They measure about 2.5 to 6 centimeters (1 to 2.4 inches) long and 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) wide. They have a sharp, pointed tip and 16 close, parallel, yellowish lines called nerves.
When the plant blooms, it produces simple inflorescences. These are clusters of flowers that grow in pairs where the phyllodes meet the stem, which is called the axil. Each flower cluster is a round head, about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) across. They contain 15 to 18 golden-colored flowers.
After the flowers bloom, long, slightly curved seed pods form. These pods are raised over each seed and slightly squeezed between them. The pods are hairy and have a thin, hard shell. They can be up to 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) long and about 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide. Inside, the seeds are shiny black and oval-shaped, about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) long.
Plant Family and Naming
The first official sample of Acacia densiflora was collected in 1897 near Kellerberrin by R.B. Leake. This sample is called the type specimen. It helps scientists identify and name the plant.
Acacia densiflora is part of a special group of wattles. This group includes other similar species like Acacia dissona, Acacia eremophila, Acacia kalgoorliensis, and Acacia hadrophylla.
Where it Grows
This plant is native to the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance areas of Western Australia. It prefers to grow in sandy soils or sandy soils mixed with gravel.
Most of these shrubs are found from areas like Wyalkatchem and Chiddarcooping in the north. They extend south to places like Ongerup and Frank Hann National Park. Some smaller groups of plants can be found further east, as far as Coolgardie. They often grow in areas with mallee trees, which are a type of eucalyptus.
