Ashby's wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashby's wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
ashbyae
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia ashbyae, commonly known as Ashby's wattle, is a unique type of wattle plant. It is found only in Western Australia. This plant is a beautiful part of Australia's natural world.
Contents
Ashby's Wattle: A Special Australian Plant
What Does Ashby's Wattle Look Like?
Ashby's wattle grows as a round, thick, and spreading shrub. It can reach up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. It can also spread out to 3 meters (about 10 feet) wide. Its leaves are called phyllodes. They are narrow, flat, and pale green. These phyllodes are usually 30 to 90 millimeters (about 1 to 3.5 inches) long. New leaves often have soft white hairs.
This wattle produces bright yellow, tube-shaped flowers. These flowers are about 10 millimeters (about 0.4 inches) long. You can see them blooming from July to September.
How Did It Get Its Name?
Scientists give every plant a special name. This helps them organize and understand nature. Acacia ashbyae was first officially described in 1974. A botanist named Bruce Maslin gave it its first scientific description. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
For a short time in 2003, another scientist named Leslie Pedley changed its name to Racosperma ashbyae. But by 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group. The second part of its name, ashbyae, honors a special person. It is named after Alison Marjorie Ashby, who was a talented botanical illustrator and plant collector.
Where Does Ashby's Wattle Grow?
Ashby's wattle grows in different types of soil. You can find it in sandy and loamy soils. It often grows along roadsides. It also likes rocky rises and flat, sandy areas. These places are found in specific natural regions of Western Australia. These regions include the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, and Yalgoo areas.
