Acacia levata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia levata |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
levata
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia levata is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia plant family. It is found only in a small, dry area of western Australia.
Contents
Discovering the Acacia levata Shrub
This shrub is known for its spreading shape and many stems. It usually grows to be about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) tall. It can also spread out to about 5 meters (16 feet) wide.
Its young branches are smooth, meaning they don't have hairs. The very ends of the branches might have a silky feel.
Leaves and Flowers of Acacia levata
Like most Acacia plants, Acacia levata does not have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes look and act like leaves.
The phyllodes are narrow and shaped like an oval or a long rectangle. They can be straight or slightly curved. Each phyllode is about 8 to 13.5 centimeters long and 1 to 2 centimeters wide. They are quite stiff and thick. You can see four to six main veins on each side of the phyllode.
The plant produces simple flower clusters called inflorescences. These grow alone or in small groups where the phyllodes meet the stem (called the axil). The flowers grow in a cylinder shape, like a small spike. Each flower-spike is about 6 millimeters wide and 20 to 25 millimeters long. They are packed tightly with bright golden flowers.
Seeds and Pods of Acacia levata
After the flowers bloom, long, hanging seed pods form. These pods are straight or slightly curved and have narrow wings. They are woody and smooth, growing up to about 15 centimeters long. The pods are about 8 to 12 millimeters wide. As they dry, they turn a yellowish-brown color and become a bit wrinkled.
Inside the pods are dull brown seeds. The seeds are broadly oval or nearly round, about 5 to 6 millimeters long. Each seed has a ribbon-like attachment called a funicle. It also has a small, fleshy part called an aril near its end.
Where Acacia levata Grows
Acacia levata is found naturally in a small part of the Pilbara region. This area is in Western Australia. You can find it north of Newman and south of Marble Bar.
This shrub often grows on the tops and sides of hills. It prefers sandy or loamy soils that are found over granite rock. It is usually part of scrubland or spinifex plant communities. You might often see it growing near other Acacia species, like Acacia hilliana and Acacia stellaticeps.
