Acacia quadrisulcata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia quadrisulcata |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
quadrisulcata
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia quadrisulcata is a special type of shrub. It is part of the large plant group called Acacia, also known as wattles. This shrub grows naturally only in Western Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific place, it is called endemic.
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What Does Acacia quadrisulcata Look Like?
This shrub usually grows between 0.4 and 1 meter (about 1 to 3 feet) tall. It spreads out and has a strong smell. Its small branches are covered with tiny, curved hairs. It also has small, thin, triangular parts called stipules, which are about 1 millimeter long.
The leaves of this plant are quite unique. They are called phyllodes, which are flattened leaf stems that act like leaves. These phyllodes are always green and feel stiff. They also have a strong smell. Each phyllode is shaped like a square stick, about 7 to 20 millimeters long and 1 millimeter wide.
Flowers and Seeds
Acacia quadrisulcata blooms with yellow flowers from September to December. Its flowers grow in simple groups, with one group appearing where a leaf meets the stem. Each group is a round flower-head with 15 to 20 light golden flowers. These flowers turn orange-brown when they dry.
After the flowers, long, yellow, woody seed pods grow. These pods are about 5 centimeters (2 inches) long and 4 millimeters wide. Inside the pods are mottled seeds. These seeds are oval to oblong in shape and about 3 millimeters long.
The phyllodes of Acacia quadrisulcata look similar to those of other wattle plants. For example, they resemble the leaves of Acacia tetragonophylla and a specific type of Acacia maitlandii.
How Was Acacia quadrisulcata Named?
The way plants are named and classified is called Taxonomy. The first time this plant was officially described was in 1863. A botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it its scientific name. He wrote about it in his work called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its name to Racosperma quadrisulcatum. But then, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group. So, its official name is still Acacia quadrisulcata.
Where Does Acacia quadrisulcata Live?
This shrub is found in a specific area of Western Australia. It grows between the towns of Northampton and Shark Bay. This area is part of the Mid West region.
You can find Acacia quadrisulcata growing on flat, sandy areas called sand plains. It also grows on sandhills. It prefers sandy clay soils that are found over limestone or laterite rock. This shrub usually grows as part of a heath or shrubland community. These are areas where many small shrubs and plants grow close together.
