Acacia legnota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heath wattle |
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Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Acacia
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Species: |
legnota
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Occurrence data from AVH |
The heath wattle (Acacia legnota) is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the large Acacia family, which is known for its many different kinds of wattles. This particular wattle is special because it only grows in a specific part of northeastern Australia. Plants that only grow in one area are called endemic.
What Does the Heath Wattle Look Like?
The heath wattle is usually a shrub, but it can also grow into a small tree. It typically reaches a height of 2 to 4 meters (about 6 to 13 feet). Its bark is smooth and grey, with clear white spots called lenticels. The young branches are smooth and hairless, which is called glabrous.
Like most Acacia species, the heath wattle does not have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes that look and act like leaves. These phyllodes are thin, leathery, and hairless. They are shaped like a narrow oval or a sickle, measuring about 12 to 18 centimeters (5 to 7 inches) long and 8 to 19 millimeters (0.3 to 0.7 inches) wide. Each phyllode has six to eight main veins.
When the heath wattle blooms in June, it produces groups of simple flowers. These flower clusters grow in groups of two to four where the leaf meets the stem (called the axil). Each flower cluster is a round ball, about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) across, and contains about 35 golden-colored flowers.
After flowering, smooth and leathery seed pods form. These pods are long and narrow, but they are rounded over each seed. They can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long and about 9 millimeters (0.35 inches) wide. Inside, the pods hold dull, dark brown seeds that are broadly oval-shaped and about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long.
How Was the Heath Wattle Named?
The heath wattle was first officially described by a botanist named Leslie Pedley in 1978. He wrote about it in a scientific paper called A revision of Acacia Mill. in Queensland, Part 1, which was published in the journal Austrobaileya.
Later, in 1987, Pedley changed its name to Racosperma legnotum. However, in 2001, it was moved back to the Acacia genus, so its official name became Acacia legnota again.
Where Does the Heath Wattle Grow?
The heath wattle is found in the far northern and northeastern parts of Queensland, Australia. It grows on the Cape York Peninsula. You can commonly find it along the coast from around Cape Flattery to Cooktown. Some populations also grow further west in the Iron Range area and as far south as Cowley Beach.
This plant often grows on sand dunes or in shrubby heathland areas. It is usually found near streams or lagoons, growing in sandy soils.