Cowell spine-bush facts for kids
The Cowell spine-bush (Acacia hexaneura) is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is also known as wattles. This plant is only found in certain parts of South Australia. It's sometimes called the six-nerve spine-bush because of its unique leaves.
Quick facts for kids Cowell spine-bush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
hexaneura
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Contents
What Does the Cowell Spine-Bush Look Like?
This shrub is quite stiff and has prickly branches. It usually grows in a rounded shape. It can reach about 1 meter (3 feet) tall and spread up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) wide.
Instead of regular leaves, most Acacia plants have something called phyllodes. These are like flattened leaf stems that do the job of leaves. The phyllodes of the Cowell spine-bush are stiff and attach directly to the branch. They can be straight or slightly curved.
Each phyllode is about 17 millimeters (0.67 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. They have six clear veins that run along their length. These veins are quite raised, making them easy to see.
Flowers of the Spine-Bush
The Cowell spine-bush blooms between July and September. It produces simple inflorescences, which are clusters of flowers. These clusters form round, golden-yellow flower-heads.
How Was the Cowell Spine-Bush Named?
This plant was first officially described in 1990. Two botanists, Richard Sumner Cowan and P.J.Lang, wrote about it. Their work was published in the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley reclassified it. He gave it the name Racosperma hexaneurum. However, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group.
Meaning of the Name
The scientific name hexaneura comes from Greek words. The word hex means six. The word neura means nerves. This name refers to the six distinct veins, or "nerves," found on the phyllodes of the plant.
Where Does the Cowell Spine-Bush Grow?
This shrub has a small native area in South Australia. It is found in the northeastern part of the Eyre Peninsula. You can find it around the towns of Kimba and Cowell.
Preferred Habitat
The Cowell spine-bush usually grows on small hills made of quartzite. Quartzite is a hard rock. It often grows where there is also limestone or ironstone rock underneath. The plant prefers well-drained soils. These soils are usually gravelly loams or sandy soils.
