Betsy's wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Betsy's wattle |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
jackesiana
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| Where Betsy's Wattle grows in Australia (data from AVH) | |
Acacia jackesiana, also known as Betsy's wattle, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the plant group called Acacia and is found naturally in north-eastern Australia.
What Does Betsy's Wattle Look Like?
This shrub usually grows close to the ground, reaching about 1 meter (or 3 feet) tall. It has reddish-brown branches that are a bit angular.
- Phyllodes (Leaf-like Parts): Instead of regular leaves, Betsy's wattle has special leaf-like parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are always green and feel smooth. They are shaped like a square with rounded corners and are about 9 to 14 centimeters long and less than 1 millimeter wide. Each phyllode has tiny overlapping scales and 8 to 12 veins, with one main vein at each corner.
- Flowers: Betsy's wattle blooms between July and October, showing off bright yellow flowers. The flowers grow in cylinder-shaped spikes, about 1.2 to 2.2 centimeters long, packed with golden-colored flowers.
- Seed Pods: After the flowers, the plant grows seed pods. These pods are a bit woody and smooth. They are long and thin, pointy at both ends, and measure about 6 to 10.5 centimeters long. They have noticeable light brown edges. Inside, there are light brown seeds, shaped like an oval, about 4.8 to 5.4 millimeters long. They are lined up lengthwise and have a thin mark on them.
Where Does Betsy's Wattle Grow?
Betsy's wattle is found only in certain parts of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. One place it grows is near the Argentine mine, which is about 60 kilometers (or 37 miles) southwest of Townsville.
It likes to grow on flat areas and in gorges. You can find it in brown, loamy soils that are on top of a type of rock called Argentine schist. It often grows as part of Eucalyptus woodlands, which are forests mainly made up of eucalyptus trees.
Images for kids
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Map showing where Betsy's Wattle is found in Australia.
