Rush-leaf wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rush-leaf wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
juncifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Rush-leaf Wattle, also known by its scientific name Acacia juncifolia, is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia plant family. This plant is special because it is found only in north-eastern Australia.
Contents
What Does the Rush-leaf Wattle Look Like?
The Rush-leaf Wattle usually grows to about 3 meters (or 10 feet) tall. It has thin, smooth, reddish-brown branches. Its bark is dark grey, blackish, or brownish-grey.
Leaves and Flowers
Like most Acacia plants, the Rush-leaf Wattle doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes that look and act like leaves. These phyllodes are always green, smooth, and stiff. They are long and thin, like rushes, and can be straight or slightly curved. They grow to be about 7 to 20 centimeters long and about 1 millimeter wide. You can usually see a clear line down the middle of each phyllode.
This plant blooms with flowers between June and November. Its flowers grow in round clusters, with each cluster having 20 to 30 flowers. These flowers are a beautiful light to deep golden color.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, seed pods start to form. These pods are dark red-brown and have bumps over each seed inside. The pods can grow up to 10 centimeters long and are about 3 to 4 millimeters wide. The seeds inside are arranged lengthwise. They are a dull mix of yellow and black, shaped like a long oval, and are about 3 to 4.5 millimeters long.
How Was the Rush-leaf Wattle Named?
The scientific name juncifolia comes from two Latin words. Juncus means "rush," and folium means "leaf." This name describes how the plant's phyllodes look like the leaves of a rush plant. The Rush-leaf Wattle looks quite similar to another plant called Acacia calamifolia.
Different Types of Rush-leaf Wattle
Scientists have found two different types, or subspecies, of the Rush-leaf Wattle:
- Acacia juncifolia subsp. juncifolia
- Acacia juncifolia subsp. serpentinicola
Where Does the Rush-leaf Wattle Grow?
The Rush-leaf Wattle is found in southern Queensland, starting from places like Port Clinton in the north. It also grows south into New South Wales, reaching areas around Glenbrook. It can be found as far as 500 kilometers inland.
This plant typically grows in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands. It prefers to grow in sandy soils. In New South Wales, you can find it north of Glenbrook and as far west as Gilgandra.
