Acacia saxatilis facts for kids
Acacia saxatilis is a special kind of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is also known as wattle trees. This plant is found only in a specific part of Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one place, it's called endemic.
Quick facts for kids Acacia saxatilis |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
saxatilis
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Contents
What Does Acacia saxatilis Look Like?
This shrub usually grows between 0.8 and 2.5 meters (about 2.6 to 8.2 feet) tall. Its branches are smooth and have sharp edges. They also have tiny leaf-like parts called stipules that fall off easily.
Instead of regular leaves, Acacia saxatilis has what are called phyllodes. These are flattened leaf stalks that look and act like leaves. They are a dull grey-green or bluish color. These phyllodes are narrow and long, about 1.5 to 4 centimeters (0.6 to 1.6 inches) in length. They are also about 4 to 7 millimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) wide. You might notice a faint line down the middle, but no other veins.
Flowers and Seed Pods
This plant blooms from September to October, showing off its bright yellow flowers. The flowers grow in round clusters, like small balls. Each flower cluster is about 4 to 6.5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.26 inches) across. They contain 27 to 35 golden-colored flowers.
After the flowers, seed pods begin to form. These pods are firm and look like thin lines. They are raised slightly over where the seeds are inside. The pods can be curved or even coiled up. They grow up to 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) long and are about 2.5 to 3 millimeters (0.1 to 0.12 inches) wide. A fine white powdery coating covers the pods.
Inside these pods, the seeds are shiny and have an oval shape. They are about 2 to 2.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.1 inches) long. Each seed has a creamy-colored attachment called an aril, which helps with seed dispersal.
How Acacia saxatilis Got Its Name
A botanist named Spencer Le Marchant Moore first officially described this plant. He wrote about it in 1920 in a scientific paper. Later, in 2003, another botanist, Leslie Pedley, changed its name to Racosperma saxatile. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group. So, its official name is still Acacia saxatilis.
Where Does Acacia saxatilis Grow?
This special Acacia is found only in the Wheatbelt and Mid West areas of Western Australia. It grows in different types of soil, including clay, loam, sandy loam, and gravelly sandy clay.
You can find it scattered in various places. From Kalbarri in the northwest, down to Coorow in the south, and even Bruce Rock in the southeast. It often grows in open woodlands where Eucalyptus trees are common.
