Acacia websteri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia websteri |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
websteri
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia websteri is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is also known as wattles. This plant is special because it only grows naturally in western Australia. When a plant or animal only lives in one specific place, it's called endemic.
What it Looks Like
This shrub or small tree usually grows to be about 1.2 to 5 meters (4 to 16 feet) tall. It has pretty yellow flowers.
Branches and "Leaves"
The small branches, called branchlets, are flat near their ends. They might have a few hairs or be completely smooth. Sometimes, they can even look a bit white and sticky from resin.
Most Acacia plants, including Acacia websteri, don't have true leaves. Instead, they have something called phyllodes. These phyllodes are like flattened leaf stems that do the job of leaves.
The phyllodes of Acacia websteri are:
- Thin but tough.
- Always green (evergreen).
- Stand upright.
- Are long and thin, like a line.
- Measure about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 4.7 inches) long.
- Are about 2 to 3.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.14 inches) wide.
- They get narrower towards the tip, which is gently curved.
- Each side of a phyllode has three visible lines, or "nerves."
Flowers and Seeds
When Acacia websteri blooms, it produces simple flower clusters. These clusters have flowerheads that are oval or nearly round. Each flowerhead is about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) long and 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) across. Inside, you'll find 30 to 36 golden-colored flowers.
After the flowers, long, narrow seed pods grow. These pods have ridges running along them and are straight. They are flat on both sides and can be up to 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. Inside these pods are light brown seeds, arranged lengthwise. Each seed is oblong (like a stretched circle) and about 3.5 millimeters (0.14 inches) long. At one end of each seed, there's a small, fleshy growth called an aril, which often helps with seed dispersal.
Where it Grows
Acacia websteri is found in specific parts of Western Australia. These areas are mainly the Wheatbelt and Goldfields regions.
It has a "disjunct distribution," which means it grows in separate, unconnected areas. You can find it around Bencubbin and also near the towns of Coolgardie and Kambalda.
This plant often grows in places where water collects, like drainage depressions. It prefers red loam, sand, and clay soils. It's usually part of shrubland and scrub communities, which are areas with many shrubs and small trees.
