Central Ranges wattle facts for kids

The Central Ranges wattle (scientific name: Acacia tenuior) is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, also known as wattles. This plant is found only in a small part of central Australia. It's quite rare, especially in South Australia.

What Does the Central Ranges Wattle Look Like?

This shrub usually grows up to about 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. Its branches are round and have clear ridges, like tiny ribs. When the plant is young, these branches often have small hairs. As they get older, they become smooth.

Leaves or Phyllodes?

Most Acacia plants, including the Central Ranges wattle, don't have typical leaves. Instead, they have something called phyllodes. These are like flattened leaf stems that do the job of leaves.

The phyllodes of this wattle are flexible and look like thin, round threads. They can be straight or slightly curved. Each phyllode is about 8 to 14 centimeters (3 to 5.5 inches) long and only about 1 millimeter wide. They have eight tiny lines, or nerves, running along them with deep grooves in between.

Flowers and Seed Pods

When the Central Ranges wattle blooms, it produces small, round flower-heads. These flower-heads are bright yellow and contain about 25 to 30 individual flowers. They usually grow alone or in pairs where the phyllodes meet the stem.

After the flowers bloom, the plant forms flat, leathery seed pods. These pods are long and narrow, growing up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) in length. They are about 6 to 8 millimeters wide and contain seeds arranged lengthwise inside.

Where Does the Central Ranges Wattle Live?

The Central Ranges wattle grows in a small, scattered area in central Australia. You can find it in the northwestern part of South Australia and the southeastern part of the Northern Territory.

Special Places It Calls Home

Some of the places where this wattle grows include the Musgrave Ranges, near areas like Mount Woodroffe. It also lives in the Mann Ranges, around Mount Mann. These plants often grow at high altitudes, usually around 1200 meters (about 3,900 feet) above sea level.

You'll typically find these shrubs in areas with granite or gneiss rocks. They often grow in the heads of gullies or along natural drainage lines. They prefer the southern sides of slopes and areas that are protected from fires.