Curly-bark wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curly-bark wattle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
curranii
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Curly-bark wattle (scientific name: Acacia curranii) is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is also known as wattles. This plant grows naturally in northeastern Australia. Sadly, it is listed as a vulnerable plant. This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it.
Contents
What it Looks Like
This shrub usually grows up to about 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall. It often has many stems growing from its base.
Its Unique Bark
One of the coolest things about the Curly-bark wattle is its bark! It's usually grey to maroon in color. The bark peels off in small, curly flakes, which is why it's called "curly-bark." This type of bark is known as "minni ritchi" bark.
Branches and Leaves
The branches are a maroon-grey color. Young shoots, which are new growths, have fine yellow hairs. Like most Acacia plants, it doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has what are called phyllodes. These are flattened leaf stalks that act like leaves. The phyllodes are thick and stay green all year round. They are long and narrow, usually about 8.5 to 18 centimeters (3 to 7 inches) long and very thin, less than 2 millimeters wide. They have many tiny lines running along them.
Flowers and Seed Pods
The Curly-bark wattle blooms, or flowers, between August and September. It produces beautiful golden flowers. These flowers grow in small, oval-shaped spikes that are about 0.4 to 1.2 centimeters long.
After the flowers bloom, flat, linear seed pods form. These pods are about 4 to 7 centimeters long and 2 to 3 millimeters wide. They have a few soft hairs on them. Inside the pods, there are dark brown seeds. Each seed is about 3 millimeters long and has a small, grey-brown mark called an areole.
Where it Grows
The Curly-bark wattle is found in only a few specific places. It grows in parts of southeastern Queensland and the western plains of New South Wales. These areas are separated by hundreds of kilometers.
Queensland Habitat
In Queensland, you can find it in the Darling Downs area, especially around Gurulmundi. Here, it grows in sandy soils that don't drain water very well. These soils are often found over sandstone.
New South Wales Habitat
In New South Wales, it grows on hills made of igneous rock. The soil there is very thin. You can find it around Lake Cargelligo and the Gunderbooka Range.
Population Numbers
Because it grows in only a few separate places, there are not many Curly-bark wattle plants. There are only about twenty groups of these plants in total. These groups are found in about ten main areas. All together, there are fewer than 5,000 individual Curly-bark wattle plants left. This is why it's so important to protect them!
