Boree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boree |
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A. oswaldii habit | |
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Acacia
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Species: |
oswaldii
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Occurrence data from AVH | |
Synonyms | |
Acacia amaliae Domin |
Acacia oswaldii, often called boree, is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is well-known in Australia. People also call it the umbrella wattle or curly yarran.
Contents
What Does the Boree Look Like?
This shrub or tree usually grows to be about 1 to 6 meters (3 to 20 feet) tall. Some can even reach 8 meters (26 feet)! Its branches are smooth and have tiny red hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves, called phyllodes, are long and narrow. They can be straight or slightly curved. When they are young, they might be a bit hairy, but they become smooth as they grow. Each leaf is about 2.5 to 10.5 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) long.
The boree blooms with bright yellow flowers from October to December. These flowers grow in small, round clusters, usually with 5 to 16 flowers in each ball.
Seed Pods
After the flowers, seed pods start to form. These pods are often curved or even coiled, and they are mostly flat. They can be quite long, from 4 to 25 centimeters (1.5 to 10 inches). The pods are tough and leathery or woody.
You can collect the seeds from March to May. They usually sprout in 3 to 10 weeks. You can also grow new boree plants from cuttings.
Where Does the Boree Grow?
The boree is found in many parts of Australia. It grows in central and southern South Australia, the Northern Territory, southwest Queensland, western New South Wales, and northern Victoria. You can also find it in the Pilbara and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia.
Even though it's spread out, it usually grows in dry or semi-dry areas. It likes sandy or loamy soils that contain lime.
How Was the Boree Named?
The boree was first described by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller in 1863. He wrote about it in a science journal.
The plant was named Acacia oswaldii to honor Ferdinand Oswald. He helped collect the first sample of this plant in 1851 near Blanchetown in South Australia.
Other Names for Boree
Sometimes, plants can have many different scientific names over time. For the boree, some of its other names include Racosperma oswaldii and Acacia sessiliceps.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Bourrée para niños