Acacia papulosa facts for kids
Acacia papulosa is a type of shrub from the Acacia family, also known as wattles. It's a special plant because it grows naturally only in a small part of southwestern Australia. This makes it an "endemic" species, meaning it's unique to that area.
Quick facts for kids Acacia papulosa |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
papulosa
|
What Does Acacia papulosa Look Like?
This bushy shrub usually grows to be about 0.25 to 2 metres (1 to 7 ft) tall. It has a thick, dense shape. Its branches are smooth and have small, pimple-like bumps. They also feel a bit sticky because they have resin on them.
Like most Acacia plants, this shrub doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are smooth and stand upright. They are straight or slightly curved. They stay green all year round. Each phyllode is about 2 to 6 cm (0.79 to 2.36 in) long and 0.7 to 1 mm (0.028 to 0.039 in) wide. They also have eight tiny lines, or nerves, on them.
The Acacia papulosa blooms from August to September. During this time, it produces pretty yellow flowers. The flowers grow in small, round or slightly oval clusters. These clusters appear in pairs where the phyllodes meet the stem. Each flower cluster is about 2.5 to 3.5 mm (0.098 to 0.138 in) long and 2.5 to 3 mm (0.098 to 0.118 in) wide. Inside each cluster, there are 10 to 20 individual flowers.
After the flowers bloom, thin, leathery seed pods start to form. These pods are smooth and stand upright. They are long and narrow, about 4 cm (1.6 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.098 in) wide. The pods are slightly bumpy because they are raised over each seed inside. The seeds themselves are shiny black or dark brown. They are oblong-shaped and about 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) long.
Where Does Acacia papulosa Live?
The Acacia papulosa shrub is native to three small areas along the southern coast of Western Australia. You can find it in the Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions. It prefers to grow in a special type of soil called spongolitic loam. This soil is made from a rock called spongolite.
This shrub has a limited distribution. This means it only grows in a few specific places. You can find it around the Boxwood Hill area. It also grows in the Fitzgerald River National Park. In these places, it is part of the natural woodland communities.
