Acacia laccata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia laccata |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
laccata
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia laccata is a type of shrub. It belongs to the large group of plants called Acacia, also known as wattles. This special plant grows naturally only in northern Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, it's called endemic.
About This Plant
This tall, thin shrub usually grows between 2 to 5 metres (7 to 16 ft) high. Its bark is dark brown and peels off in flakes. It also has long cracks running up and down its trunk.
The upper branches of the plant are smooth and have sharp edges. The leaves, called phyllodes, are also smooth and stay green all year. They are shaped like a narrow oval, sometimes wider at the top. They are usually 9 to 19 cm (3.5 to 7.5 in) long and 20 to 50 mm (0.79 to 1.97 in) wide. Each phyllode has three or four clear veins, plus a few fainter ones.
Acacia laccata blooms from May to September. During this time, it produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in spikes that are 2 to 5 cm (0.79 to 1.97 in) long.
After the flowers, long, thin seed pods appear. These pods are squeezed in between each seed. The pods are thin, leathery, and smooth. They are 3 to 7 cm (1.2 to 2.8 in) long and 5 to 8 mm (0.20 to 0.31 in) wide. Inside, you'll find dark brown seeds. They are oval-shaped and about 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) long, arranged in a line inside the pod.
Where It Grows
This plant is found in a small part of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. It likes to grow on flat areas and plains. You can often find it in sandy soils, especially where there is quartzite and sandstone rock.
Its home also stretches east into the tropical areas of the Top End in the north-east of the Northern Territory. It also grows in the far north-west of Queensland. In these places, Acacia laccata often grows as part of open forests where Eucalyptus trees are common.
