Coastal Umbrella Bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coastal Umbrella Bush |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
cupularis
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Acacia cupularis, often called the Coastal Umbrella Bush, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the large group of plants known as Acacia (also called wattles). This special bush is found only in the southern parts of Australia.
Contents
Discover the Coastal Umbrella Bush
This smooth and open bush usually grows to be about 1 to 2.5 meters (3 to 8 feet) tall. It can also spread out to about 2.5 meters (8 feet) wide. Its branches are often a dark reddish-brown color and have a slightly waxy feel.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Coastal Umbrella Bush are thick and dark green. They are long and thin, usually about 3 to 8 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) long and 1 to 5 millimeters wide. These leaves often stand up straight.
This plant blooms with bright yellow flowers from July to December. The flowers grow in small groups of two or three on short stalks. Each round flower head holds about 16 to 22 golden flowers.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the flowers, the bush grows dark brown seed pods. These pods stand up and look a bit like a string of beads. They can be up to 7 centimeters (almost 3 inches) long. Inside these pods are dull light brown seeds. Each seed has a bright orange or red covering called an aril.
Naming the Coastal Umbrella Bush
The Coastal Umbrella Bush was first officially described by a botanist named Karel Domin in 1923. He wrote about it in a scientific paper. Sometimes, people have confused this plant with other similar Acacia species, like Acacia salicina.
This bush is part of a group of wattles called the Acacia bivenosa group. It looks similar to other wattles such as Acacia maxwellii and Acacia anceps.
Where the Coastal Umbrella Bush Grows
You can find the Coastal Umbrella Bush mostly along the coast in South Australia. It also grows in western Victoria and in several regions of Western Australia. These regions include Goldfields-Esperance, Great Southern, South West, and Wheatbelt.
This plant likes to grow in sandy or clayey soils. You can often spot it in sandy areas, along small water channels, and in clayey spots. It often grows near limestone and is part of mallee plant communities.
