Acacia splendens facts for kids
Acacia splendens is a special type of tree or shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, also known as wattles. This plant is found only in a small part of Western Australia. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, it is called endemic.
Quick facts for kids Acacia splendens |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
splendens
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Contents
What Does Acacia splendens Look Like?
This tree or shrub usually grows up to 8 metres (26 ft) tall. It has an open, spreading shape. Its branches are thick and smooth, meaning they are glabrous. They are also angled at the ends. A fine white powder often covers them.
Like most Acacia species, it does not have true leaves. Instead, it has structures called phyllodes. These phyllodes are flat and look like leaves. They are also smooth (glabrous). They grow from obvious stem parts, forming narrow wings. Each phyllode is about 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in) long. They are also 1 to 8 cm (0.39 to 3.15 in) wide. Each phyllode has one main vein and many fine side veins.
The plant blooms in May, producing yellow flowers. These flowers grow in clusters called inflorescences. The flower clusters are found on a stalk called a raceme. This stalk can be 1.5 to 15 cm (0.59 to 5.91 in) long. The flower-heads are round or oval shaped. They contain 33 to 75 golden-colored flowers.
After the flowers, smooth (glabrous) seed pods form. These pods are firm and papery. They are narrow and oblong, up to 14 cm (5.5 in) long. They are also 7 to 12 mm (0.28 to 0.47 in) wide. A fine white powder covers the pods. Inside the pods are shiny black seeds. The seeds are oblong to elliptic in shape. They are 5 to 6 mm (0.20 to 0.24 in) long. Each seed has a dark red-brown, club-shaped attachment called an aril.
How Was Acacia splendens Named?
This plant was officially described in 2006. Two botanists, Bruce Maslin and Carole Elliott, named it. They published their findings in a scientific paper. The paper was called Acacia splendens (Leguminosae : Mimosoideae), a new rare species from near Dandaragan, Western Australia. It appeared in a journal called Nuytsia.
Where Does Acacia splendens Grow?
Acacia splendens is found in a small area of Western Australia. It grows in the Wheatbelt region. All known plants are in one group. This group is located northwest of Dandaragan. It prefers gravelly loam soils. These soils are often found near laterite breakaways. The plant grows as part of low Eucalyptus woodland communities.
See Also
- List of Acacia species
