Blue wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
validinervia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia validinervia, also known as nyalanyalara, nyala nyala, alumaru, or blue wattle, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia plant family. This plant grows naturally only in dry, desert areas of inland Australia.
Contents
What is the Blue Wattle?
The blue wattle is a tall, thin shrub. It usually grows to be about 1 to 4 meters (3 to 13 feet) tall. It can look a bit messy or have many stems growing from its base. Its branches are smooth and covered in a fine, white powder.
How to Identify the Blue Wattle
Like most Acacia plants, the blue wattle does not have true leaves. Instead, it has special leaf-like parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are always green. They are shaped like an oval or a spoon and can be slightly curved. Each phyllode is about 6 to 13 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long. They are also 15 to 55 millimeters (0.6 to 2.2 inches) wide. They feel thick and leathery. You can see a clear main vein and other veins along the edges.
When Does the Blue Wattle Flower?
The blue wattle blooms from July to August. It produces bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in round clusters called inflorescences. Each flower cluster is about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 inches) across. They are packed with 50 to 80 tiny, golden flowers.
What Do Blue Wattle Seed Pods Look Like?
After the flowers bloom, the plant forms seed pods. These pods are like long, narrow beans. They can be straight or slightly curved. Each pod can grow up to 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) long. They are about 7 to 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) wide. The pods feel firm, like thick paper or thin leather. Inside the pods, the seeds are lined up. They are oval-shaped and about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. They are also 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
Where Does the Blue Wattle Grow?
The blue wattle is found in the desert areas of central Australia. It grows in the Central Ranges of the eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. You can find it in red sand, stony sand, or even loamy and clay soils.
Blue Wattle's Australian Home
This shrub also grows in the northwestern part of South Australia. It is found in the southern areas of the Northern Territory. The blue wattle's range stretches far and wide. It goes from Warburton in Western Australia. It reaches to the northwestern edge of the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory. You can also find it around the Musgrave and Tomkinson Ranges in South Australia. It often grows along dry creeks and riverbeds in these areas.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the Acacia validinervia plant.
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A map showing where Acacia validinervia grows in Australia.
