Red wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
monticola
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Acacia monticola, also known as red wattle or curly-bark tree, is a type of plant found in northern Australia. It belongs to the legume family, which includes peas and beans. This plant has many different names, depending on where you are in Australia. For example, the Yindjibarndi call it burduwayi, and the Nyangumarta know it as kawarr.
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What Does Acacia monticola Look Like?
The Acacia monticola is a shrub or a small tree. It can grow from about 2 feet (0.6 meters) to 23 feet (7 meters) tall. It often has many stems and bark that looks grey or reddish-brown. This bark is special because it's called "minni ritchi" bark, which means it peels off in small, curly strips.
Leaves and Flowers
The plant usually has a V-shape with branches that spread out. Its leaves are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year. These leaves are called phyllodes and are shaped like an oval. They are about 0.4 to 1.3 inches (10 to 32 mm) long and 0.2 to 0.8 inches (5 to 20 mm) wide. Each leaf has three to five main lines running through it.
Acacia monticola produces lovely yellow flowers. You can usually see these flowers from April to August. The flowers grow in round or oval-shaped heads that are about 0.4 to 0.8 inches (10 to 20 mm) long. They have a sweet smell and are a bright golden color.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant forms seed pods. These pods are brown and a bit shiny. They are mostly flat but have bumps where the seeds are. Each pod is about 0.8 to 3.9 inches (2 to 10 cm) long and 0.3 to 0.6 inches (7 to 15 mm) wide. They feel sticky because of a natural resin and have a nice, sweet smell. Inside these pods are shiny, dark brown seeds. The seeds are shaped like small ovals, about 0.16 to 0.24 inches (4 to 6 mm) long.
Where Does Acacia monticola Grow?
The Acacia monticola is found across northern Australia. It grows in places like Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and central western Queensland.
You can find this plant in different types of soil, such as red sand, ironstone, or laterite (a type of reddish soil). It often grows in sandy areas called pindan, or on stony plains and rocky hills. In Western Australia, it lives in many different bioregions, including the Pilbara and the Great Sandy Desert.
Images for kids
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Acacia monticola in its natural habitat
