Myall Creek wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Myall Creek wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
atrox
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| Acacia atrox occurrence data from Australasian Virtual Herbarium | |
Acacia atrox, also known as Myall Creek wattle, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which includes many different wattles. This plant is special because it only grows in a small area of New South Wales, Australia. This means it is endemic to that region.
What Does Myall Creek Wattle Look Like?
This shrub is usually thick and has many branches. It typically grows to be about 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13 feet) tall. It can spread out and form dense groups by sending out new shoots from its roots.
The leaves of the Myall Creek wattle are actually not true leaves. They are flattened leaf stalks called phyllodes. These phyllodes are light green and attach directly to the stem without a stalk. They have a unique four-sided shape. Each corner of the phyllode has a yellow line, like a vein. These phyllodes are usually 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1.8 inches) long. They are quite narrow, only about 1 to 1.3 millimeters (0.04 to 0.05 inches) wide.
The plant's flowers grow in small groups. These flower clusters are round, like little balls. Each flower-head is about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) across. Inside each ball, there are usually 17 to 22 tiny flowers.
Who Discovered and Named This Plant?
The Myall Creek wattle was first officially described by a botanist named Phillip Kodela. This happened in the year 2001. He wrote about it in a scientific paper called Acacia atrox (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae), a new rare species from the North Western Slopes, New South Wales. This paper was published in a journal called Telopea.
Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley reclassified the plant. He gave it a new name, Racosperma atrox. However, in 2011, it was moved back to its original genus, Acacia. So, its official name is still Acacia atrox.
Where Does Myall Creek Wattle Grow?
The Myall Creek wattle only grows in a very specific area. You can find it around the Inverell area in the north western slopes of New South Wales.
It likes to grow on slopes and low hills. It prefers clay soils that are found over basalt rock. You might also see it growing on basalt rock in areas where trees have been cleared. Sometimes, it grows as part of open Eucalyptus woodlands, where there is also a lot of grass.
