Muntalkura wattle facts for kids

The Acacia exilis, often called muntalkura wattle, is a type of wattle tree. The Kurrama people, who live in the area where it grows, call this tree jonanyong or jananyung. This special wattle is found naturally in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

What it Looks Like

This small tree or shrub usually grows between 1 and 6 meters (about 3 to 20 feet) tall. It can have one main trunk or up to six straight but slightly bent stems growing from the ground.

The trunk and stems have grey bark with long cracks. However, the bark on the branches is smooth. Older trees have branches that spread out, forming a 'V' shape. The leaves are soft and mostly found at the ends of the branches.

The leaves, called phyllodes, are a dull green color. They are long and thin, about 14 to 18 centimeters (5.5 to 7 inches) long and about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide.

How it was Named

The Acacia exilis was first officially described in 1982 by a botanist named Bruce Maslin. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.

Where it Grows

The Acacia exilis only grows in a small part of the Pilbara region. You can find it mostly around Tom Price, near Hamersley Station and Mount Windell.

It likes to grow on rocky slopes and in valleys near creeks and rivers. It also grows on low, rocky hills. The soil it prefers is sandy, clay, or gravelly, and it's usually rich in iron.

This wattle often grows alongside other types of Acacia trees. These include the Acacia ancistrocarpa, Acacia aneura, Acacia atkinsiana, Acacia pruinocarpa, and Acacia xiphophylla. You will also often see a spiky grass called spinifex growing on the ground nearby.