Yarrabah wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yarrabah wattle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| P0362226 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
hylonoma
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Yarrabah wattle (Acacia hylonoma) is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia family, which includes many different wattles. This plant is special because it is endemic, meaning it naturally grows only in a small area of northeastern Australia.
Contents
What Does Yarrabah Wattle Look Like?
This wattle can grow quite tall, reaching up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) high. Its trunk can be around 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) wide. The bark on its trunk is a yellowish-brown color.
Branches and Leaves
The small branches of the Yarrabah wattle are smooth. They also have tiny raised spots called lenticels, which help the plant breathe.
Like many Acacia species, this wattle does not have typical leaves. Instead, it has special leaf-like parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are thin and feel a bit like leather. They are also smooth and stay green all year round.
Phyllode Shape and Size
The phyllodes are shaped like a narrow oval. They can be straight or slightly curved. Each phyllode is usually 8 to 15 centimeters (about 3 to 6 inches) long. They are about 7 to 25 millimeters (about 0.3 to 1 inch) wide. You can see 6 to 11 main veins running through each phyllode. Many smaller veins connect these main ones.
Where Does Yarrabah Wattle Grow?
The Yarrabah wattle is found only in a small part of northern Queensland, Australia. This area is southeast of the city of Cairns.
Habitat
It grows in rainforests, which are dense forests with a lot of rain. You can find it from sea level up to about 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) high. It grows well in both high and low rainforest areas. This plant is also often seen growing in places where the forest has been disturbed, like after a storm. It helps the rainforest grow back.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name hylonoma comes from an old Greek word, hylonomos. This word means "living in woods." So, the name Acacia hylonoma basically means "wattle that lives in the woods." This name was first used for a different plant, a type of willow, in 1916.
