Bower wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bower wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
cognata
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms | |
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Acacia subporosa var. linearis Benth. |
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The Acacia cognata, often called bower wattle, river wattle, or narrow-leaved bower wattle, is a type of tree or shrub. It grows naturally only in southeastern Australia.
Contents
What is the Bower Wattle?
This plant typically grows to be about 0.6 to 10 meters tall, which is like a small tree or a large bush. It can grow straight up or spread out. Its bark is smooth and can be grey or grey-brown. The smaller branches have green to brown lines that run along them, with sticky parts in between.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves, called phyllodes, are green, long, and narrow. They measure about 4 to 10 centimeters long and 1 to 3.5 millimeters wide. They are slightly curved and might have a few hairs. They also have three main veins running through them.
The flowers are pale yellow and shaped like small balls, about 3 to 6 millimeters across. Each flower-head has 10 to 25 tiny flowers. They usually appear alone or in pairs where the leaves join the stem. You can see these flowers between July and October in Australia.
Seed Pods
After the flowers, the plant grows flat, papery seed pods. These pods are straight and slightly raised over the seeds inside. They are about 3 to 10 centimeters long and 2 to 4 millimeters wide.
Where Does Bower Wattle Grow?
The Bower Wattle is found only in the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria. It prefers to grow in soils that come from granite rock. You can often find it in dry sclerophyll forests. These are forests with tough, hard-leaved plants that can handle dry conditions.
How Was Bower Wattle Named?
The Bower Wattle was first officially described by a botanist named Karel Domin in 1926. Botanists are scientists who study plants. Later, in 2003, another botanist, Leslie Pedley, reclassified it under a different name, Racosperma cognatum. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group, which is where it belongs today.
Popular Types of Bower Wattle
Many special types of Bower Wattle, called cultivars, have been created. These are plants that people have grown for specific features, like their shape or leaf color. Some popular cultivars include:
- 'Bower Beauty'
- 'Cousin Itt'
- 'Copper Tips'
- 'Fettuccini'
- 'Green Mist'
- 'Lime Magik'
- 'Limelight'
- 'Mop Top'
- 'Waterfall'
