Chinchilla wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chinchilla wattle |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
chinchillensis
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Chinchilla wattle (scientific name: Acacia chinchillensis) is a type of Acacia plant. It is a small tree or shrub that grows naturally in eastern Australia. People often call it the Chinchilla wattle because it is found near the town of Chinchilla.
About the Chinchilla Wattle
The Chinchilla wattle is usually a small shrub. It grows to be about 0.3 to 2 meters (1 to 6.5 feet) tall. It can spread out to be 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6.5 feet) wide. Its bark is smooth and can be grey or green.
Leaves and Flowers
The small branches have soft, white hairs. The leaves are special; they are called bipinnate. This means they look like a feather with smaller "feathers" branching off. Each leaf has three to four pairs of these smaller parts. On each part, there are 6 to 14 tiny, narrow leaflets.
When it flowers, the Chinchilla wattle has bright golden or yellow flowers. These flowers grow in round, ball-shaped heads. After the flowers, the plant grows long, flat seed pods. These pods are hairy and look a bit like a bean pod. They are about 7 to 8 centimeters (2.7 to 3.1 inches) long. They are also about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.15 to 0.2 inches) wide. The seeds inside make the pod look a little bumpy.
Where It Grows
The Chinchilla wattle grows in a specific part of eastern Australia. You can find it in the southwest of Queensland. It is common in an area called the Darling Downs. This includes places near the towns of Chinchilla, Tara, Cecil Plains, and Karara.
Scientists believe there are about 100,000 Chinchilla wattle plants in the state forests around these towns. This shrub often grows as part of the understorey. This means it grows beneath taller trees in open forests or woodlands.
Naming the Chinchilla Wattle
The Chinchilla wattle was first officially described by a botanist named Mary Tindale. She wrote about it in 1978. Her work was published in a science journal called Telopea.
Later, in 1987, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its scientific name for a short time. However, in 2001, it was changed back to its original name, Acacia chinchillensis.
