Acacia pterocaulon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia pterocaulon |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
pterocaulon
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia pterocaulon is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia family. It's also known as a wattle. This plant grows naturally in a small part of Western Australia, specifically in the Mid West region.
Contents
What Does Acacia pterocaulon Look Like?
This interesting shrub can grow upright or spread out. It usually reaches a height of about 0.5 to 1.3 meters (1.6 to 4.3 feet). Sometimes, it can even grow up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall.
Leaves and Branches
The branches are green and smooth. The leaves, called phyllodes, are special. They are connected to the branches and spread out like wings along them. Each wing is about 2 to 6 millimeters (0.08 to 0.24 inches) wide. The free part of each phyllode looks like a spear or a narrow triangle. It can be straight or slightly curved, measuring 1 to 5.5 centimeters (0.4 to 2.2 inches) long.
Flowers and Seeds
Acacia pterocaulon blooms between October and January. It produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in round clusters, called racemose inflorescences. Each cluster is about 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) across. It contains 60 to 70 golden flowers packed closely together.
After the flowers, long, thin seed pods form. These pods can be up to 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) long and 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) wide. Inside, each seed is oblong and measures about 4.5 to 5 millimeters (0.18 to 0.20 inches) long.
How Was Acacia pterocaulon Named?
The plant was first officially described in 1995 by a botanist named Bruce Maslin. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its classification. But then, in 2006, it was moved back to its original group, the Acacia genus.
The first sample of this plant, called the type specimen, was collected by Maslin in 1976. He found it near a place called Three Springs.
Similar Plants
Acacia pterocaulon has leaves that look a bit like those of Acacia willdenowiana. It is also similar to a closely related plant called Acacia glaucoptera.
Where Does Acacia pterocaulon Grow?
This plant is only found in a small area of Western Australia. It grows between the towns of Morawa and Three Springs. You can find it on rocky hill slopes. It prefers to grow in clay-loam or sandy-loam soils.
Often, Acacia pterocaulon grows as a smaller plant under taller trees in Eucalyptus woodlands. It can also be found in thick Casuarina scrub areas.
