Acacia repanda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia repanda |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
repanda
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia repanda is a type of shrub, which is a small, woody plant. It belongs to the large group of plants called Acacias, also known as wattles. This particular acacia is special because it's found only in a small part of western Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, it's called endemic.
Contents
What Does Acacia repanda Look Like?
This shrub usually grows to be about 0.5 to 2 metres (2 to 7 ft) tall. It has a rounded or cone-like shape. The plant has one main stem but many branches. Its bark is known as "minni-ritchi" bark, which means it peels off in small, curly flakes. The younger branches have soft, spreading hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
Like most Acacia plants, Acacia repanda doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has what are called phyllodes. These are flattened leaf stalks that act like leaves. The phyllodes are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year. They can be round or flat, and are shaped like a narrow line. They might also be slightly curved.
These phyllodes are stiff and have a grey-green color. They are also glabrous, which means they are smooth and hairless. Each phyllode is about 2.5 to 6 cm (0.98 to 2.36 in) long and 1 to 3 mm (0.039 to 0.118 in) wide. You can see eight clear lines, or nerves, on them with deep grooves in between.
The plant blooms from June to August, producing bright yellow flowers. The flowers grow in simple groups called inflorescences. These groups appear in pairs where the phyllodes meet the stem, which is called the axil. Each flowerhead is round or broadly oval, about 5 to 8 mm (0.20 to 0.31 in) long and 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) across. Each head contains 20 to 25 golden-colored flowers.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant forms tough, leathery seed pods. These pods are narrow and oblong, and they have a wavy shape. They can grow up to about 3 cm (1.2 in) long and 4 mm (0.16 in) wide. The pods are covered in shaggy golden or white hairs. They also have some smaller red, sticky hairs.
Inside the pods are glossy, dark-brown to black seeds. Sometimes, these seeds have yellow spots. They are broadly oval or oblong-shaped and are about 2.5 to 3 mm (0.098 to 0.118 in) long.
Where Does Acacia repanda Grow?
Acacia repanda is found in a small part of the southern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Its population is spread out, meaning it grows in different, separate areas. Most of these plants are found around a place called Holt Rock. There is also a smaller group of them near Wongan Hills.
This plant often grows near large rock formations made of granite. It prefers sandy loam or loamy soils. These are types of soil that have a good mix of sand, silt, and clay. You can find Acacia repanda growing as part of heath or shrubland communities. These are areas with many small shrubs and other low-growing plants.
