Acacia heteroclita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia heteroclita |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
heteroclita
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia heteroclita is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is also known as wattles. This plant is special because it only grows in the southwestern part of Australia. When a plant or animal only lives in one specific area, it's called endemic.
What it Looks Like
This plant is usually a shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 1 to 4 metres (3 to 13 ft) tall. Like many Acacia species, it doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year. They are long and narrow, about 3 to 11 cm (1.2 to 4.3 in) long and 2 to 4 mm (0.079 to 0.157 in) wide.
The plant blooms from September to December. During this time, it produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in round shapes called flower-heads. Each flower-head is about 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) across. They contain between 25 and 41 small yellow flowers. After the flowers, seed pods start to form. These pods are about 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long and 2.5 to 5 mm (0.098 to 0.197 in) wide. Inside the pods are elliptic-oblong shaped seeds. Each seed is about 2.5 to 3.5 mm (0.098 to 0.138 in) long.
Types of Acacia heteroclita
There are two main types, or subspecies, of Acacia heteroclita:
- Acacia heteroclita subsp. heteroclita
- Acacia heteroclita subsp. valida
Where it Grows
This plant is found in specific areas of Western Australia. These areas include the southern Wheatbelt, Great Southern, and Goldfields-Esperance regions. It often grows near granite outcrops and on slopes. You can also find it on flat, wavy plains. It prefers sandy or gravelly soils that come from granite.
The plant is spread out in different spots. You can find it from around Kulin in the north. It stretches down to the Fitzgerald River National Park in the south. It also grows as far east as Cape Le Grand National Park. Some of the islands in the Recherche Archipelago also have this plant. Acacia heteroclita often grows in areas with mallee trees, shrubs, or heathland plants. It can even be found in salty areas.
