Acacia subflexuosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia subflexuosa |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
subflexuosa
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia subflexuosa is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia family. It is a special plant because it grows naturally only in a specific part of southwestern Australia. This means it is an endemic species, found nowhere else in the world.
What Does Acacia subflexuosa Look Like?
This plant is a thick, rounded shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.25 to 1 meter (1 to 3 feet) tall. Its small branches, called branchlets, are round and have tiny hairs. They also have small, leaf-like parts called stipules that stay on the plant. These stipules are about 1 to 2 millimeters long.
Like most Acacia plants, it has phyllodes instead of true leaves. Phyllodes are flattened leaf stalks that look and act like leaves. The phyllodes of Acacia subflexuosa spread out wide. They are shaped like irregular threads and are about 3.5 to 7 centimeters long and 1 to 2 millimeters wide. Each phyllode has eight strong, raised lines, or "nerves."
The plant blooms from August to September. During this time, it produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in round clusters, called flower-heads, that are about 3.5 to 4 millimeters across. Each flower-head contains 15 to 22 golden flowers. They grow either alone or in pairs where the phyllodes meet the stem.
After the flowers, the plant forms firm, paper-like seed pods. These pods are long and sometimes curved, looking a bit like a string of beads. Inside the pods are dull brown seeds, sometimes with spots. The seeds are oval-shaped and about 2.5 millimeters long. Each seed has a small, crest-like growth called an aril.
Types of Acacia subflexuosa
Scientists group living things to understand them better. This is called taxonomy. There are two main types, or subspecies, of Acacia subflexuosa that scientists have identified:
- Acacia subflexuosa subsp. capillata
- Acacia subflexuosa subsp. subflexuosa
Where Does Acacia subflexuosa Grow?
This Acacia plant is found in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It often grows on ridges, hills, and flat areas. You can find it in sandy soils or soils mixed with clay, often near granite rocks or a type of soil called laterite.
The plant's natural home stretches from around Toodyay in the west to Cunderdin in the east. It also grows as far south as the Dryandra Woodland. Some smaller groups of these plants are found separately near Lake King. They usually grow as part of forests or scrublands with trees like jarrah or wandoo, or in areas with mallee trees.
