Purple flowered wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purple flowered wattle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
purpureopetala
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia purpureopetala, often called Purple flowered wattle or Cupid's wattle, is a very special plant from Australia. It's the only wattle in the entire country that has beautiful purple or pink flowers! People often call it Cupid's wattle or pink wattle because of its lovely color, which usually appears around Mother's Day each year.
This unique plant grows only in a small area in north-east Queensland, near a town called Herberton. Sadly, it is considered critically endangered. This means there are very few of these plants left in the wild, and they are at a high risk of disappearing forever. Scientists know of only five small places where these wattles grow, with about 7,000 individual plants remaining.
What it Looks Like
The Purple flowered wattle is a small shrub that spreads out close to the ground. Its branches are covered with tiny white hairs. It blooms with its unique purple flowers between May and September.
Where it Lives
This special wattle only grows in a small part of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. You can find it around Herberton, near Mount Emerald (which is south-west of Walkamin), and at a place called Stannary Hills.
It prefers to grow on steep, rocky hillsides. These areas are usually between 780 and 880 meters (about 2,560 to 2,890 feet) above sea level. It grows as part of the Eucalyptus woodland communities, sharing its home with many types of gum trees.
