Acacia latifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia latifolia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
latifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia latifolia is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia plant family. It is found only in the warm, northern parts of Australia. This plant is special because it grows naturally only in this area.
What Does Acacia latifolia Look Like?
This tall, thin shrub usually grows about 1.5 to 5 metres (5 to 16 ft) high. It has smooth, brown bark. Its branches are flat and yellowish-brown, about 0.5 to 1 cm (0.20 to 0.39 in) wide. These branches are also glabrous, which means they are smooth and hairless.
The leaves of Acacia latifolia are not typical leaves. They are called phyllodes. These are flattened leaf stalks that look and act like leaves. They are thin and green, shaped like a narrow spear or oval. Each phyllode is about 6.5 to 13 cm (2.6 to 5.1 in) long and 14 to 45 mm (0.55 to 1.77 in) wide. They have three to five clear lines running along them.
This plant blooms, or flowers, from May to August or October. It produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in spikes that are about 1.6 to 2.7 cm (0.63 to 1.06 in) long. After the flowers, long, brown seed pods form. These pods are straight and thin, about 4 to 11 cm (1.6 to 4.3 in) long and 2 to 4.5 mm (0.079 to 0.177 in) wide. They have light-colored edges. Inside the pods, you'll find brown seeds that are shaped like long ovals, about 2.2 to 4.7 cm (0.87 to 1.85 in) long.
How Was Acacia latifolia Named?
The plant was first officially named in 1842 by a botanist named George Bentham. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. He described it in a book called Notes on Mimoseae, with a synopsis of species. This book was part of William Jackson Hooker's work.
Later, in 1987, another botanist named Leslie Pedley gave it a new name, Racosperma latifolium. But then, in 2001, it was moved back to its original Acacia group.
Where Does Acacia latifolia Grow?
Acacia latifolia grows in several small areas in northern Australia. You can find it in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Here, it grows in sandy soils on top of sandstone.
It also grows in separate areas, which is called a disjunct distribution. You can find it in the Top End of the Northern Territory and in the northwestern part of Queensland.
This shrub often grows on flat areas made of sandstone. It can also be found on cliffs, along rivers in deep valleys (gullies), or in cracks among rocky areas. Sometimes, it grows near basalt or quartzite rocks. It prefers stony, sandy, and alluvial soils, which are soils left by flowing water. It usually grows as part of a mix of different shrubs.
