Acacia ericifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia ericifolia |
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| Acacia ericifolia in flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
ericifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia ericifolia is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family. This plant is special because it grows only in Western Australia. When a plant or animal lives only in one place, it is called endemic.
Contents
About the Acacia ericifolia Plant
This spreading shrub usually grows to be between 0.2 and 1.2 meters (about 0.7 to 3.9 feet) tall. Its small branches have tiny leaf-like parts called stipules. These are about 2 millimeters long and fall off easily.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Acacia ericifolia are not typical leaves. They are actually flattened leaf stalks called phyllodes. These phyllodes are green and fleshy. They can be shaped like a line or a narrow rectangle. They are about 5 to 25 millimeters long and 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters wide.
This plant blooms from April to August. It produces bright yellow flowers. The flowers grow in simple, round clusters. These clusters are found alone or in pairs where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower cluster is about 3.5 to 4 millimeters wide. It holds 18 to 33 golden flowers.
Seed Pods
After the flowers bloom, the plant forms long, thin seed pods. These pods can grow up to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. They are very narrow, only about 1.5 millimeters wide. Inside the pods are oblong-shaped seeds. Each seed is about 2 to 2.5 millimeters long.
Where Acacia ericifolia Grows
Acacia ericifolia is found in several parts of Western Australia. These areas include the Mid West, Wheatbelt, and Great Southern regions. You can find it from Northampton in the north down to Lake Grace in the south.
Habitats
This plant likes to grow in sandy areas called sandplains. It also grows on coastal cliffs and on hills made of laterite rock. Sometimes, it can be found on granite outcrops. It prefers thin, sandy soils.
Acacia ericifolia can be part of different plant groups. It might grow in heathland communities. These are areas with low-growing shrubs. It can also be found in woodlands. Here, it grows among trees like wandoo or marri.
