Acacia scalena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia scalena |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
scalena
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia scalena is a special kind of shrub, a bit like a small tree, that belongs to the Acacia family. It's found only in a small part of western Australia. This means it's endemic to that area, which is a fancy word for unique to one place.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a tough, prickly shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.5 to 1.5 metres (2 to 5 ft) tall. Its branches are stiff and often have sharp points, like tiny thorns. They are also covered in a light, powdery white coating.
Leaves and Flowers
Like many Acacia plants, Acacia scalena has phyllodes instead of regular leaves. Phyllodes are flattened leaf stems that act like leaves. These phyllodes are grey-green or blue-green and have a sharp tip. They are about 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) long and 3 to 10 mm (0.12 to 0.39 in) wide.
The plant blooms from June to September. It produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in small, round clusters called flower-heads. Each flower-head has about 18 to 22 golden-colored flowers.
Seed Pods
After the flowers bloom, seed pods start to form. These pods are wavy and shaped like a narrow rectangle. They can grow up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long and 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 in) wide. Inside the pods are mottled seeds. Each seed is oval-shaped and about 0.3 mm (0.012 in) long. They have a waxy, dull yellow aril, which is a fleshy covering on the seed.
Where Does It Grow?
Acacia scalena is found in the Wheatbelt and Mid West areas of Western Australia. It likes to grow in yellow sandy or loamy soils.
You can find this plant from around Ballidu in the south up to Latham in the north. It often grows in Eucalyptus woodlands or open heath areas. These are places where Eucalyptus trees are common or where there are lots of small shrubs.
