Acacia latior facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia latior |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
latior
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia latior is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia plant family, also known as wattles. This special plant is found only in western Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area.
About the Acacia latior Shrub
This shrub usually has many stems and grows to be about 1 to 4 meters tall. That's like being as tall as a small car or even a single-story house! It often has a rounded or cone-like shape, with a thick, bushy top. Its stems have slight grooves, and the bark is smooth or has tiny cracks, appearing brownish-grey.
Leaves and Flowers
When new shoots grow, they are covered in thick, silver or white hairs. The younger branches are smooth and don't have hairs. They might have faint ridges and be a bit flat or angled at their ends.
The plant's "leaves" are actually called phyllodes. These are flat, grey-green to green, and shaped like a narrow spear or oval. They can be straight or slightly curved. Each phyllode has a sharp point and measures about 4 to 13 centimeters long and 2 to 10 millimeters wide. You can see many veins running closely together along their length.
The Acacia latior has simple flower clusters that usually grow in pairs where a leaf meets the stem. The flower heads are oval or roundish, about 8 to 12 millimeters long and 5 to 7 millimeters wide. They are packed with bright golden flowers, making them very pretty!
Seeds and Pods
After the flowers bloom, straight or slightly curved seed pods form. These pods are about 2 to 5 centimeters long and 2 to 3 millimeters wide. Inside, you'll find shiny brown seeds arranged lengthwise. The seeds are oblong (long and narrow) and measure about 2 to 3 millimeters long. Each seed has a small, white, fleshy growth called an aril.
Where Acacia latior Grows
This shrub is native to the Mid West region of Western Australia. You can often find it growing around Mullewa. There are also smaller groups of these plants scattered around places like Gnows Nest, the Blue Hill ranges, and near Karara and Warriedar stations.
The Acacia latior likes to grow in sandy areas, on gravelly hills, or in sandy, rocky clay, or loamy soils. It's usually found as part of shrubland or scrub communities. You might often see it growing alongside mallee-style Eucalypts (gum trees) and other types of Acacia plants.
