Acacia xanthocarpa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia xanthocarpa |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
xanthocarpa
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia xanthocarpa is a type of shrub, a bushy plant, that belongs to the Acacia family. It's a special kind of plant because it only grows naturally in certain dry parts of western Australia. When a plant or animal only lives in one specific area, we call it endemic.
What it Looks Like
This shrub, Acacia xanthocarpa, usually grows to be about 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 ft) tall. It often has a rounded or cone-like shape. The main stems and branches can look twisted. Its bark is grey and often has cracks, especially on the thicker parts.
The younger branches have a few hairs. But as they get older, they become smooth and hairless. Like many other Acacia plants, it doesn't have regular leaves. Instead, it has what are called phyllodes. These are flattened leaf stems that act like leaves.
The phyllodes are always green and stand upright. They are round and thin, like a pencil. They grow to be about 6 to 9.5 cm (2.4 to 3.7 in) long and less than 1 mm (0.039 in) thick. When they are young, these phyllodes are very hairy. But as they get older, most of the hairs fall off. Some hairs might stay in the tiny grooves along the many thin lines, or "nerves," on the phyllodes.
This plant blooms, or flowers, between July and August. It produces bright yellow flowers and later, yellow fruit.
Where it Grows
Acacia xanthocarpa is found in a small part of Western Australia. It grows in the Mid West and Goldfields areas. You can usually find it along places where water flows, on flat lands, or on rocky hills.
Its natural home is quite limited. It lives southwest of a town called Meekatharra. Its range stretches about 120 km (75 mi) northeast towards Neds Creek Station. It also goes about 120 km (75 mi) southeast from Meekatharra, near places like Belele Station.
