Acacia ericksoniae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia ericksoniae |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
ericksoniae
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| Where Acacia ericksoniae grows (data from AVH) | |
The Acacia ericksoniae is a type of shrub, a small woody plant. It belongs to a large family of plants called Acacia, which are also known as wattles. This special wattle grows naturally only in Western Australia.
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What is the Acacia ericksoniae Plant?
This unique shrub usually grows to be about 0.4 to 0.8 metres (1 to 3 ft) tall. That's less than a meter, or about 1.5 to 2.5 feet high. It has thin, straight branches that point upwards. Sometimes, these branches can feel a bit prickly. They often have tiny, star-shaped fuzzy bits on them.
Unique Leaves and Bright Flowers
Instead of regular leaves, Acacia ericksoniae has something called phyllodes. These are actually flattened parts of the leaf stalk. They work just like leaves, helping the plant make its food.
- Phyllodes are green.
- They have a cool, somewhat triangular shape.
- They are wider at the top.
- Each phyllode is quite small, only about 2 to 5 mm (0.079 to 0.197 in) long.
- They are about 1.5 to 4 mm (0.059 to 0.157 in) wide.
- They usually end in a short, sometimes sharp, tip.
This shrub adds a splash of yellow to its home. It blooms with bright yellow flowers during the cooler months, usually from June to September.
How Scientists Study Acacia ericksoniae
Scientists give every living thing a special, unique name. They also group plants and animals together based on how they are related. This system is called taxonomy. It helps us understand the natural world better.
Naming This Species
The Acacia ericksoniae was first officially described and named in 1999. A plant expert named Bruce Maslin did this important work. He was studying many different Acacia species. His findings were then shared in a science magazine called Nuytsia.
Changing Names (Reclassification)
Sometimes, as scientists learn more about plants, they might change their names. They might also change how plants are grouped. In 2003, another botanist, Leslie Pedley, thought Acacia ericksoniae should be in a different group. He called it Racosperma ericksonaie.
However, after more study in 2011, it was moved back to its original group, Acacia. You might sometimes hear people mistakenly call this plant Acacia bidentata. This shows how science is always learning and updating!
Where Acacia ericksoniae Grows
Acacia ericksoniae is endemic to Western Australia. This means it grows naturally nowhere else in the world! It is found in specific areas within the Mid West and Wheatbelt regions of Western Australia.
You can often find this shrub growing on sandy plains. It likes sandy or loamy soils. These types of soils are usually found near or on top of rocky areas. These rocky areas are often made of granite or laterite.
