Acacia leptophleba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia leptophleba |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
leptophleba
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia leptophleba is a type of shrub, a bushy plant, that belongs to the group of plants called Acacias. It is found only in northern Australia.
About the Plant
This shrub usually grows to be about 0.5 to 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) tall. It often has a rounded shape. Its bark is smooth or a little rough and grey. The branches are slightly angled and can be light or dark brown.
The leaves of this plant are not typical leaves; they are called phyllodes. They are flat and shaped like a narrow oval or spear. These phyllodes are usually 3.5 to 11 centimeters (1.4 to 4.3 inches) long and 7 to 20 millimeters (0.28 to 0.79 inches) wide.
Acacia leptophleba blooms in May or from September to October. It produces bright golden yellow flowers. These flowers grow in spikes that are about 2 to 4.5 centimeters (0.79 to 1.77 inches) long.
After the plant flowers, it forms woody seed pods. These pods stand upright and are shaped like a long, narrow spear. They are typically 7 to 11.5 centimeters (2.8 to 4.5 inches) long and 6 to 9.5 millimeters (0.24 to 0.37 inches) wide. Inside the pods are black to dark brown seeds. The seeds are shaped like an oval and are 6 to 8 millimeters (0.24 to 0.31 inches) long.
How it Got its Name
This plant was first officially described by a botanist named George Bentham in 1859. He wrote about it in a scientific paper by Ferdinand von Mueller. Later, in 1864, Bentham described it again in a larger work called Flora Australiensis.
For a short time, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its name to Racosperma leptophlebum. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group, and its name became Acacia leptophleba again.
Where it Grows
Acacia leptophleba is found naturally in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It likes to grow in areas like river flats and inside gorges.
You can often find it in sandy and loamy soils that are on top of quartzite and sandstone rocks. It often grows as part of Eucalyptus and Heteropogon forests. Sometimes, it is also found in savannah grasslands alongside plants like spinifex.
