Acacia eremaea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia eremaea |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
eremaea
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia eremaea is a special kind of shrub or tree that belongs to the Acacia family. It grows naturally only in a certain part of western Australia. This means it is an endemic plant, found nowhere else in the world.
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About This Plant
This plant is usually a thick bush or a small tree. It can grow from about 1.2 to 4 meters (4 to 13 feet) tall. Its branches are hairy, round, and have ridges.
What Its Leaves Look Like
Like many Acacia plants, it doesn't have regular leaves. Instead, it has what are called phyllodes. These are flattened leaf stalks that act like leaves. The phyllodes of Acacia eremaea stand up straight. They are always green and have a shape like a long oval or a narrow spear. They can be straight or slightly curved.
These special "leaves" are grey-green and smooth, without any hairs. They are also quite pointed. Each phyllode is usually 6 to 12 centimeters (2.4 to 4.7 inches) long and 6 to 17 millimeters (0.24 to 0.67 inches) wide. You can see many thin lines, called nerves, running through them. Three of these lines are usually a bit raised.
Flowers and Seed Pods
Acacia eremaea blooms from July to October, showing off its bright yellow flowers. Its flowers grow in small groups of two to four. These groups are found where the leaf stalks meet the stem, called the axil. Each flower group forms a round head, about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) across. These heads are packed with 54 to 85 golden-colored flowers.
After the flowers, seed pods start to grow. These pods are thin and straight or slightly curved. They feel a bit like paper. Each pod can be up to 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) long and 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.28 inches) wide. The pods are smooth and have bumps over each seed. Inside, you'll find shiny brown seeds. These seeds are oval-shaped and about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) long.
How It Was Named
A botanist named Cecil Rollo Payton Andrews first officially described this plant in 1904. He wrote about it in a publication called Additions to the West Australian Flora. Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its name to Racosperma eremaeum. But then, in 2006, it was changed back to its original name, Acacia eremaea.
Where It Grows
This Acacia plant is found only in the Mid West and Wheatbelt areas of Western Australia. It likes to grow in certain types of places. You can often find it in salty areas, on flat lands with stony clay, or near salt lakes. It grows well in clay, clay-loam, and sandy soils.
The plant's natural home stretches from places like Boolardy Station and Cue in the north. It goes down to areas around Wongan Hills in the south. It usually grows in open woodlands or tall shrublands. These areas are often filled with other types of Acacia plants.
