False sugar brother facts for kids
Quick facts for kids False sugar brother |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
incognita
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia incognita, also known as the false sugar brother, is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to a large group of plants called Acacias. This particular plant grows only in Western Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area.
What Does the False Sugar Brother Look Like?
This shrub or tree usually grows to be about 3 to 5 m (9.8 to 16.4 ft) (about 10 to 16 feet) tall. It has a shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, like an upside-down cone. Its main stems and upper branches are a bit crooked and have cracks in their bark.
When new shoots grow, they are sticky because of a natural resin. They also have tiny reddish hairs. The younger branches are smooth and hairless, except for some hairs between their non-sticky ridges.
Like most Acacia plants, the false sugar brother doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are green to grey-green and thin. They are quite sharp at the tip and can be straight or slightly curved. They grow to be about 4 to 12 cm (1.6 to 4.7 in) (about 1.5 to 4.7 inches) long and 1 to 1.5 mm (0.039 to 0.059 in) (less than an inch) wide. You can see fine lines running along them.
Flowers and Seed Pods
The false sugar brother blooms at different times between January and October. Its flowers grow in simple groups called inflorescences. These flower groups appear alone or sometimes in pairs where a leaf meets the stem (this spot is called the axil).
The flower-heads are shaped like a ball or a short oval. They are about 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 in) (less than an inch) long and 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) (less than an inch) across.
After flowering, the plant produces seed pods. These pods are thin but tough, like leather or a crust. They are straight or slightly curved and grow to be about 3.5 to 10 cm (1.4 to 3.9 in) (about 1.4 to 3.9 inches) long and 1 to 2 mm (0.039 to 0.079 in) (less than an inch) wide. The pods have lines running along them.
Inside the pods, you'll find shiny brown seeds. These seeds are shaped like a narrow oval or rectangle and are about 3 to 5 mm (0.12 to 0.20 in) (less than an inch) long. Each seed has a creamy white attachment called an aril, which helps with seed dispersal.
Where Does the False Sugar Brother Grow?
This plant is found naturally in the Mid West region of Western Australia. You can find it from around Mullewa in the west to Yalgoo in the east. It also grows as far south as Karara Station, which is north of Morawa.
The false sugar brother often grows on flat plains or low hills. It prefers to grow in loam (a mix of sand, silt, and clay) or loamy clay soils. You'll usually see it as part of plant communities where Eucalyptus trees are common, or in shrublands dominated by Melaleuca plants.
