Chinocup wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chinocup wattle |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
leptalea
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The Chinocup wattle (scientific name: Acacia leptalea) is a special type of shrub. It's part of the Acacia family, also known as wattles. This plant is found only in a small part of southwestern Australia. It is considered a threatened species. This means it's at risk of disappearing forever. It is protected by a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
What it Looks Like
The Chinocup wattle is a bushy shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.5 to 2 meters (1.6 to 6.5 feet) tall. Its branches have short hairs and raised bumps where leaves used to be.
Like most Acacia plants, it doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are always green. They are thin and straight, about 5 to 8 millimeters long. They are also very narrow, only 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters wide. You can't really see any veins on them.
This wattle produces simple yellow flowers. These flowers bloom between July and October.
How it Was Named
A botanist named Bruce Maslin first officially described this plant in 1999. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Later, in 2003, another botanist, Leslie Pedley, gave it a different scientific name, Racosperma leptaleum. But in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group.
Where it Lives
The Chinocup wattle grows in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It likes to grow along natural water paths. It also grows on gently rolling plains. You can find it in sandy or loamy soils.
This plant lives in a very small area. It is found only around a place called Chinocup, near Nyabing. Even though its home is small, it can be quite common there. It especially likes areas next to salt lakes.
Scientists believe there are only about 550 Chinocup wattle plants left. It used to be much more widespread. But many areas were cleared for farming, which reduced its habitat.
