Acacia torticarpa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia torticarpa |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
torticarpa
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Acacia torticarpa is a type of shrub that belongs to the Acacia family. It is found only in a small area of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that region, growing naturally nowhere else in the world.
Contents
About the Acacia torticarpa Plant
This shrub has branches that are hairy and have parallel grooves. It also has small, leaf-like parts called stipules that stay on the plant. These stipules are about 3 to 4 millimeters long.
Leaves and Flowers
Like many Acacia species, Acacia torticarpa does not have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes that act like leaves. These phyllodes are hairy and feel leathery. They are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year. They are long and narrow, often slightly curved. Each phyllode is about 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters long and 2 to 3.5 millimeters wide. They have six clear, raised lines or "nerves."
It is thought that this plant blooms in July. When it flowers, it produces simple flower clusters called inflorescences. These appear in pairs where the leaves meet the stem. The flower heads are round, about 5 millimeters across, and contain 17 to 18 yellow flowers.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the plant flowers, hairy and leathery seed pods begin to form. These pods are long and narrow, often wavy or twisted. They can grow up to 20 meters long, but are only about 2 millimeters wide. Inside these pods are glossy, tan-colored seeds. The seeds are oval to elliptic in shape and measure about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long.
Naming and History
Acacia torticarpa was first officially described by two botanists, Richard Sumner Cowan and Bruce Maslin, in 1990. They wrote about it in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley reclassified it. He gave it a new name, Racosperma torticarpum. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia genus. This plant looks quite similar to another species called Acacia caesariata.
Where Acacia torticarpa Grows
This shrub is native to the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It has a limited and scattered distribution. This means it is only found in a few separate places. It is known from two main areas: one near Yorkrakine and another about 120 kilometers further south, around South Kumminin.
