Acacia tropica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia tropica |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
tropica
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia tropica is a type of shrub or small tree. It grows naturally in warm, tropical parts of northern Australia.
What it Looks Like
This plant can grow quite tall, usually between 3 and 8 meters (about 10 to 26 feet) high. It has long, thin branches that don't grow too close together. The bark is smooth and can be reddish-brown or grey-brown. As the plant gets older, the bark becomes more rough and stringy.
Instead of regular leaves, Acacia tropica has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These are narrow and oval-shaped. They are usually 9 to 16 centimeters (about 3.5 to 6 inches) long and 1.3 to 4.1 centimeters (about 0.5 to 1.6 inches) wide. Each phyllode has two to four clear lines, or "nerves," running along it.
The plant blooms between June and August. During this time, it produces flower-spikes. These spikes are 3 to 5.5 centimeters (about 1.2 to 2.2 inches) long. They are covered with many bright yellow flowers.
How it Got its Name
The scientific name of a plant helps us identify it. Acacia tropica was first described in 1927. Back then, it was called Acacia cunninghamii var. tropica. This name was given by two botanists, Joseph Maiden and William Blakely.
Later, in 1972, another botanist named Mary Tindale gave it its current name, Acacia tropica. She published this new name in a scientific paper. For a short time in 1987, it was called Racosperma tropicum by Leslie Pedley. However, in 2001, it was moved back to the Acacia group.
Where it Grows
You can find Acacia tropica in the Gulf Country of northwestern Queensland. It grows as far east as Croydon. It also spreads west into the Top End of the Northern Territory, near Darwin.
This plant often grows near creeks and rivers. It also likes the bottom of sandstone hills. It prefers deep, sandy soils. You'll often see it growing in scrubland areas. It sometimes grows alongside another plant called Melaleuca viridiflora.
