Oleander wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oleander wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
neriifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia neriifolia, also known as the oleander wattle, silver wattle, or pechy wattle, is a beautiful tree or large shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is very common in Australia. You can often find it growing in the Moonbi Ranges.
What Does the Oleander Wattle Look Like?
This evergreen tree or shrub usually grows to be about 3 to 8 meters (10 to 26 feet) tall. It can also spread out, becoming up to 8 meters (26 feet) wide.
Its branches often grow straight up or spread outwards. The younger branches have fine, silvery-white hairs. Sometimes, these hairs can look yellowish on new shoots. They might also be covered in a fine white powder.
Like most Acacia species, the oleander wattle has phyllodes instead of true leaves. Phyllodes are flattened leaf stems that act like leaves. These silvery-green phyllodes are long and narrow, or slightly oval-shaped. They can be straight or a little curved. Each phyllode is about 5 to 15 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long and 4 to 9 millimeters (0.16 to 0.35 inches) wide. They also have fine hairs and a clear main vein.
The oleander wattle blooms between July and October. It produces groups of 8 to 20 flowers on a stem that is 3 to 9 centimeters (1.2 to 3.5 inches) long. The flower heads are round and small, about 3.5 to 7 millimeters (0.14 to 0.28 inches) across. Each flower head has 20 to 40 bright yellow flowers.
After the flowers bloom, thin, flat seed pods form. These pods are straight or slightly curved. They can be 6 to 18 centimeters (2.4 to 7 inches) long and 6 to 10 millimeters (0.24 to 0.39 inches) wide.
Where Does the Oleander Wattle Grow?
This plant is endemic to Australia, meaning it only grows naturally in specific areas there. You can find it in Queensland and New South Wales.
In New South Wales, it grows on the eastern tablelands and slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Its range stretches from places like Tamworth and Barradine in the south, all the way north into Queensland.
The oleander wattle often grows near granite rocks. It is usually found in dry sclerophyll forest and woodland areas. Sclerophyll forests are types of forests where plants have hard, tough leaves to help them survive dry conditions.
Growing Oleander Wattle in Your Garden
The oleander wattle is a great plant for gardens. It can be used as a shade tree, providing a cool spot on sunny days. It also works well as an informal screen, helping to create privacy in your yard.
This plant grows best in full sun or partial shade. It is also very good at handling dry periods, so it is a drought tolerant plant.
