Box-leaf wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Box-leaf wattle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
buxifolia
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Racosperma buxifolium (A.Cunn.) Pedley |
|
The Acacia buxifolia, also known as the box-leaf wattle, is a type of bush that is found only in eastern Australia. It's a special plant because it grows naturally in this specific area and nowhere else in the world.
What it Looks Like
This medium-sized bush stays green all year round. It usually grows to be about 1 to 4 m (3 ft 3 in to 13 ft 1 in) (around 3 to 13 feet) tall and 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) (about 6 to 10 feet) wide. It grows straight up and has smooth, flat branches that are a bit angled.
Instead of typical leaves, it has special leaf-like parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are about 10 to 45 mm (0.39 to 1.77 in) (0.4 to 1.8 inches) long and 2 to 11 mm (0.079 to 0.433 in) (0.08 to 0.4 inches) wide.
From July to November, you can see bright yellow, round flowers on the plant. These flowers grow in bunches of 2 to 14 where the phyllodes meet the stem. After the flowers, the plant grows straight or curved seed pods. These pods are about 30 to 70 mm (1.2 to 2.8 in) (1.2 to 2.8 inches) long and 5 to 8 mm (0.20 to 0.31 in) (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
How it Got its Name
The Box-leaf Wattle was first officially named by a botanist named Allan Cunningham in 1825. He described it in his work about the plants of the Blue Mountains in Australia.
Later, in 1987, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its scientific name to Racosperma buxifolium. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group, which is where it is now.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Box-leaf Wattle:
- Acacia buxifolia subsp. buxifolia
- Acacia buxifolia subsp. pubiflora
Where it Grows
You can find the Box-leaf Wattle in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland in Australia. It usually grows in dry forests, woodlands, or open shrublands.
It's often found on hills, slopes, and flat areas that are further inland from the coast. This plant likes to grow in different types of soil, including sandy, clay, or loamy soils.
