Acacia sessilispica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia sessilispica |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
sessilispica
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| Where Acacia sessilispica grows in Australia | |
Acacia sessilispica is a type of shrub or small tree that belongs to the Acacia plant family. It is found naturally in Western Australia. This plant is known for its dense, rounded shape and beautiful yellow flowers.
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What Does Acacia sessilispica Look Like?
This plant is usually a dense, rounded shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 0.8 to 3 meters (2.6 to 9.8 feet) tall. Its branches are slightly angled and smooth, sometimes a bit sticky with resin.
Leaves (Phyllodes)
The leaves of Acacia sessilispica are called phyllodes. They are green, pointed, and stand upright. They are slightly curved and can be 5 to 11.5 centimeters (2 to 4.5 inches) long. They are quite thin, about 1 to 1.3 millimeters (0.04 to 0.05 inches) wide. Each phyllode has eight parallel lines, or nerves, with deep grooves between them.
Flowers and Blooming Time
Acacia sessilispica blooms from August to September. During this time, it produces bright yellow flowers. The flowers grow in simple spikes that are usually narrower at the top when they are still buds. These flower spikes are about 10 to 28 millimeters (0.4 to 1.1 inches) long. The flowers themselves are densely packed and can be pale golden to dark golden in color.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the flowers, the plant forms long, thin seed pods. These pods hang downwards and are slightly raised over the seeds inside. They are usually not tightly squeezed between the seeds. Each pod can be up to 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) long and 3 to 4.5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.18 inches) wide. Inside the pods are shiny black seeds. These seeds are oval or oblong in shape and are about 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) long.
How Was Acacia sessilispica Named?
This plant was first officially described by two botanists, Joseph Maiden and William Blakely, in 1928. They wrote about it in a scientific paper called Descriptions of fifty new species and six varieties of western and northern Australian Acacias, and notes on four other species. This paper was published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.
Changes to Its Scientific Name
Over the years, the scientific name of the plant changed a couple of times. In 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley reclassified it as Racosperma sessilispicum. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia genus. You might also see it referred to by older names like Acacia multispicata or Acacia aciphylla var. leptostachys.
Where Does Acacia sessilispica Grow?
Acacia sessilispica is found in a large area in the southern parts of Western Australia. Specifically, it grows in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions.
Its Favorite Places to Grow
This plant often grows near granite rocks and on hills. You can find it in places ranging from Ballidu in the north to Ravensthorpe in the south east. It prefers to grow in soils that are made of granite loam or sand. It is also a common plant in areas with shrubland and mallee (a type of eucalyptus woodland) communities.
