Phantom wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phantom wattle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
phasmoides
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms | |
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Racosperma phasmoides (J.H.Willis) Pedley |
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The phantom wattle (which scientists call Acacia phasmoides) is a special kind of shrub. It only grows in a small part of south-eastern Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
What Does Phantom Wattle Look Like?
This shrub can grow to be between 1 and 4 metres tall. It has long, flat leaf-like parts called phyllodes. These phyllodes are about 5 to 12.5 centimetres long and only 1 to 2 millimetres wide.
From September to November, the phantom wattle grows bright yellow, round flowers. These flowers appear by themselves or in groups of two. After the flowers, the plant produces curved seed pods. These pods are 5 to 9 centimetres long and 2 to 4 millimetres wide.
How Phantom Wattle Got Its Name
In 1967, a botanist named Jim Willis officially described this plant. He found the plant material near Pine Mountain in north-eastern Victoria.
Later, in 2003, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its scientific name to Racosperma phasmoides. But then, in 2006, it was moved back to the Acacia group. So, its official name is Acacia phasmoides again.
Where Phantom Wattle Lives
The phantom wattle only grows in a small area. This area is right on the border between south-eastern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria.
In New South Wales, you can find it along the southern edge of Woomargama National Park. Experts believe there are about 1,000 to 2,000 phantom wattle plants there.
In Victoria, it lives in the Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park. There are two main groups of these plants east of the top of Pine Mountain. One group has about nine plants. The other group has between 150 and 250 plants. These Victorian plants are about 35 km (22 mi) away from the ones in New South Wales.
