Acacia equisetifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia equisetifolia |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
equisetifolia
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Acacia equisetifolia is a small shrub. It is a type of wattle plant, belonging to the Acacia genus. This plant is found only in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is considered critically endangered. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
You can only find Acacia equisetifolia in one place: Graveside Gorge. This area is inside the famous Kakadu National Park. The plant likes to grow on sandstone slopes and ledges. It often grows at the very top of steep cliffs. It usually flowers in February. Its seed pods can be seen from March to October.
Contents
What Does Acacia equisetifolia Look Like?
Acacia equisetifolia is a small, upright shrub. It can grow up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. Its branches are a grey-green color. They are covered in soft, white, slightly curved hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The plant's leaves are quite special. They are called phyllodes and look like narrow needles. These phyllodes grow in circles, with 10 to 17 leaves in each circle. Each leaf is about 10 to 20 millimeters long. They are very thin, like a piece of thread. Young leaves point upwards, while older ones stick out sideways. They are a dull green color and have a tiny point at the end.
The flowers grow on stalks called peduncles. These stalks are also hairy, just like the branches. The flowers form a round shape, like a small ball. Each flower ball has about 30 to 35 tiny flowers.
Seed Pods
After flowering, the plant produces seed pods. These pods are short, usually 10 to 30 millimeters long. They are flat but have bumps where the seeds are. The pods are straight or slightly curved. They are blackish, sticky, and covered in hairs. The seeds inside the pods are arranged sideways or at an angle.
How Was Acacia equisetifolia Named?
This plant was officially described in 2014. Two scientists, Bruce Maslin and Ian Cowie, gave it its scientific name. They published their findings in a science journal called Nuytsia.
What Does Its Name Mean?
The second part of its name, equisetifolia, tells us something about its leaves. It means "with leaves like Equisetum". Equisetum is a genus of plants commonly known as horsetails. The needle-like shape and arrangement of Acacia equisetifolia's leaves reminded the scientists of these horsetail plants.
Why Is Acacia equisetifolia Endangered?
Acacia equisetifolia is listed as critically endangered. This status is given by both Australian and Northern Territory laws. It faces a very high risk of extinction.
Main Threats
There are several reasons why this plant is in danger:
- Very Small Area: It grows in a tiny area. If something bad happens there, the whole plant species could be wiped out.
- Changing Numbers: The number of plants can change a lot. This makes it hard for the species to recover.
- Fire: The way fires happen in its habitat is a big problem. This plant might need specific fire conditions to grow new seeds. If fires are too frequent or too strong, it can stop new plants from growing. This puts the species at risk of disappearing quickly.
