Mountford's wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountford's wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
mountfordiae
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Mountford's wattle, also known as Acacia mountfordiae, is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is famous for its many wattle plants. You can find this special wattle growing naturally in northern Australia.
Contents
About Mountford's Wattle
This shrub or tree usually grows up to 4 metres (about 13 feet) tall. It often has many stems that are covered in a white, powdery layer. Its bark is dark grey and has a rough, stringy feel.
Leaves and Branches
The young branches are light brown and smooth. They are round, like a pencil, except at their tips. Like most Acacia species, Mountford's wattle doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special leaf-like parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are smooth, leathery, and stay green all year. They are flat and can be straight or slightly curved, shaped a bit like a half-moon. Each phyllode is about 2.5 to 5.5 centimetres (1 to 2 inches) long and 10 to 22 millimetres (about half an inch to an inch) wide. They are grey-green and have a few main veins that are hard to see, plus many very fine veins.
Flowers and Seeds
Mountford's wattle blooms between June and September. During this time, it produces bright golden flowers. These flowers grow in long, cylinder-shaped spikes, about 3 to 4.5 centimetres (1 to 1.8 inches) long. After the flowers, seed pods grow. These pods are smooth and thick, with a curved, narrow, oblong shape. Inside, the seeds are arranged diagonally. The black seeds are about 3 millimetres (0.1 inches) long. Each seed has a pale, open mark called an areole and a small, fleshy part at one end called an aril.
Where Mountford's Wattle Grows
This plant is found only in a small part of the Northern Territory in Australia. It grows mainly around the Oenpelli Mission area. You can often spot it on top of or at the bottom of sandstone cliffs. It prefers to grow in thin, sandy soils.
Growing Mountford's Wattle
Mountford's wattle is sometimes sold in nurseries. People like it because its grey-green leaves hang down beautifully, creating a nice contrast with its bright golden flowers. It's a tough plant that can handle dry weather. It also attracts birds, making it a good choice for gardens. You can use it to fill empty spaces or to create a natural screen.
