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Crowded-leaf wattle facts for kids

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Crowded-leaf wattle
Acacia conferta IMG 20190607 101434.jpg
Acacia conferta (near Inglewood, QLD)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Acacia
Species:
conferta
Acacia confertaDistMap207.png
Occurrence data from AVH

The Crowded-leaf Wattle, also known as Acacia conferta, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the large group of plants called Acacia, which are often known as wattles. This plant grows naturally only in eastern Australia.

What Does the Crowded-leaf Wattle Look Like?

This wattle is usually a shrub, but it can sometimes grow into a small tree. It often has a rounded shape and can reach about 4 meters (13 feet) tall. Its branches are thin and spread out, sometimes covered with fine hairs.

The leaves of the Crowded-leaf Wattle are quite special. They are not true leaves but flattened leaf stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are crowded together and stand upright. They are flat, green, and shaped like a narrow oval or a long ellipse. Each phyllode is small, usually between 5 to 12 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long and 1 to 1.6 millimeters (0.04 to 0.06 inches) wide.

This wattle usually blooms between April and August. It produces bright yellow, ball-shaped flowers. Each flower head contains 20 to 25 tiny flowers. After flowering, the plant forms seed pods. These pods can be up to 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) long and 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. Inside, they hold oblong-shaped seeds that are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) long.

How Was This Wattle Named?

The Crowded-leaf Wattle was first officially described in 1842. A botanist named George Bentham gave it its scientific name, Acacia conferta. This happened as part of a larger study on Mimoseae plants by William Jackson Hooker.

For a short time, in 1987, another botanist named Leslie Pedley reclassified it. He called it Racosperma confertum. However, in 2007, it was moved back into the Acacia group, which is where it remains today. There are only a couple of other old names for this plant, like Acacia tindaleae.

Where Does the Crowded-leaf Wattle Grow?

You can find the Crowded-leaf Wattle in eastern Australia. In New South Wales, it grows around places like Moree and Warialda. Its range extends north into southeastern Queensland, reaching as far west as Blackall and east to the coast near Proserpine.

This shrub prefers to grow in sandy or loamy soils. It is often found in dry sclerophyll forests or woodlands where Eucalyptus trees are common.

Can You Grow This Wattle at Home?

Yes, the Crowded-leaf Wattle is sometimes grown by people. If you want to grow it from seeds, you can prepare the seeds by scratching them or soaking them in hot water.

This plant likes sunny spots and can grow in most types of soil, as long as the soil drains well. It is also quite tough when it comes to cold weather. It can handle temperatures as low as -7 degrees Celsius (19 degrees Fahrenheit).

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