Gile's wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gile's wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
gilesiana
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia gilesiana, commonly known as Gile's wattle, is a type of shrub that grows in the dry, desert parts of southern Australia. It belongs to the large group of plants called Acacia (wattles). This special wattle is only found in Australia, which means it is endemic to the region.
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What Gile's Wattle Looks Like
This wattle usually grows straight up and spreads out, reaching a height of about 1.5 to 3 meters (5 to 10 feet). Its branches are round and smooth, with slight ridges. Like most Acacia species, it doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes that look and act like leaves.
The phyllodes of Gile's wattle are thick, stiff, and have a sharp point. They are a grey-green color and grow upwards. They can be straight or slightly curved, measuring about 5 to 24 centimeters (2 to 9.5 inches) long and 1.5 to 1.8 millimeters thick. These phyllodes have eight yellowish lines, called nerves, that are hidden inside. Gile's wattle blooms in winter, from July to August, producing bright yellow flowers.
Naming Gile's Wattle
Why it's called gilesiana
The second part of the plant's scientific name, gilesiana, was chosen to honor a famous explorer and plant collector named William Ernest Powell Giles. He explored many parts of Australia and collected different plant samples, helping scientists learn more about the country's unique plants.
Where Gile's Wattle Grows
Gile's wattle is found in specific dry areas of Australia. In Western Australia, it grows in the Goldfields-Esperance region. In South Australia, you can find it in the Nullarbor region, especially near Maralinga, and in the north-western parts of the state.
This wattle often grows on sand dunes or flat sandy areas. It prefers red sandy soils. Its range stretches from the Gibson Desert in the north-west and the Great Victoria Desert in the south-west. You can find it from around Neale Junction, extending eastwards all the way to Maralinga in South Australia. It often grows as part of low, open forests or tall shrubland areas. It is commonly found alongside other Australian plants like mulga trees and spinifex grasses.
