Needlewood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Needlewood |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
palustris
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Needlewood (Acacia palustris) is a type of tree or shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is a large group of plants. You can find Needlewood growing in dry areas of western Australia.
What Needlewood Looks Like
This tree or shrub often looks twisted and can have a strong smell. It usually grows to be about 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13 feet) tall. Its branches are smooth, meaning they don't have hairs.
Instead of regular leaves, Needlewood has something called phyllodes. These are like flattened leaf stems that do the job of leaves. The phyllodes on a Needlewood plant point downwards. They are round like a cylinder and are straight. Each phyllode can be from 9 to 22 centimeters (3.5 to 8.7 inches) long and about 1 to 1.5 millimeters (0.04 to 0.06 inches) wide.
The phyllodes are smooth and become very narrow at the end, forming a sharp point. They are quite stiff and sharp, like needles. If you look closely, you'll see about sixteen clear lines or "nerves" running along them.
Where Needlewood Grows
Needlewood is found naturally in several regions of Western Australia. These include the Pilbara, Gascoyne, and Mid West areas. It likes to grow in soils that contain quartzite or granite. You can often spot it near rivers, creeks, or in swampy places.
The plant doesn't grow everywhere in these regions; its distribution is spread out. For example, you might find it along the Ashburton River in the north, near Pingandy Station. Further south, it grows around Murgoo Station and the Murchison River. In these southern areas, Needlewood often grows on flat, loamy plains. It's usually part of shrubland communities, often growing alongside another type of Acacia called Acacia aneura.
