Ranji bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ranji bush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
pyrifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms | |
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The ranji bush (also known as Acacia pyrifolia) is a special type of shrub. It only grows naturally in the northern parts of Western Australia. This means it's an endemic plant, found nowhere else in the world!
Contents
What the Ranji Bush Looks Like
The ranji bush can grow as a small tree or a bush. It usually reaches about 4.5 m (15 ft) tall. The main stem has smooth grey bark. The upper branches have bark that is more yellowish.
Sometimes, the ranji bush looks open and spread out. Other times, it can be quite thick and dense. Its small branches are smooth and often have a fine white powder on them. It also has sharp, spine-like parts called stipules.
Like many Acacia plants, the ranji bush doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened leaf stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are blue-grey to grey-green. They feel tough and have a sharp point. They are usually shaped like an oval, or sometimes more rounded. Each phyllode is about 2.5 to 6 cm (0.98 to 2.36 in) long and 1.5 to 4 cm (0.59 to 1.57 in) wide. You can see a clear line, called a midrib, running down the middle of each one.
Flowers and Seeds
The ranji bush produces round, yellow flowerheads. These flowers appear between April and August in its natural home. The flowers grow in long clusters, called racemes, which can be 3 to 18 cm (1.2 to 7.1 in) long. Each round flowerhead is packed with 70 to 80 bright golden flowers. They are very showy!
After the flowers bloom, seed pods start to form. These pods are slightly curved or sometimes coiled. They are narrow and oblong, and they bulge out where the seeds are. The pods are firm but thin, up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long and 8 to 15 mm (0.31 to 0.59 in) wide. Inside, you'll find dull, dark brown seeds. The seeds are broadly oval or egg-shaped.
How the Ranji Bush Got Its Name
The ranji bush was first officially described in 1825. A Swiss botanist named Augustin Pyramus de Candolle gave it its scientific name, Acacia pyrifolia. He wrote about it in his book called Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.
Scientists group plants together based on how they are related. The ranji bush is closely related to a few other Acacia species. These include the kanji bush (Acacia inaequilatera), the round-leaf wattle (Acacia strongylophylla), and the marramamba (Acacia marramamba). These plants are all part of what scientists call the Acacia pyrifolia group. This group is also linked to the Acacia victoriae group.
Where the Ranji Bush Grows
You can find the ranji bush in the Pilbara, Kimberley, and northern parts of the Mid West regions of Western Australia.
It likes to grow in different places:
- Along watercourses (rivers and streams)
- On flat plains
- On lower slopes of hills
- Along the sides of roads
It grows in sandy soil, loamy clay, or sandy soil that has been moved by water. Sometimes, it grows in thin, rocky soils, often over or around sandstone.
The ranji bush's range stretches quite far:
- From around Carnarvon in the west
- To around Meekatharra in the south
- To Rudall River National Park in the east
- And to Wallal Downs in the north
You can also find it near Windjana Gorge and around Halls Creek in the southern part of the Kimberley region.
