Spreading gidgee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spreading gidgee |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
subtessarogona
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| Where Spreading Gidgee Grows (from AVH) | |
The spreading gidgee (scientific name: Acacia subtessarogona) is a type of tree. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, which includes peas and beans. This tree is found naturally in a small part of western Australia.
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About the Spreading Gidgee Tree
The spreading gidgee grows as an upright tree. It can reach a height of up to 8 m (26 ft), which is about 26 feet tall. Its branches have ribs, and the spaces between these ribs are covered with thick hairs.
Like most Acacia trees, the spreading gidgee does not have true leaves. Instead, it has special structures called phyllodes. These phyllodes look like leaves but are actually flattened leaf stems.
Leaves and Flowers
The phyllodes of the spreading gidgee are flat and curved. They are usually between 7 to 13 cm (2.8 to 5.1 in) (about 3 to 5 inches) long. They are also 4 to 9 mm (0.16 to 0.35 in) (less than half an inch) wide. You can see thin lines running along their length.
This tree produces flowers between July and October. Its simple flower clusters, called inflorescences, grow in groups of one to five. They appear where the phyllodes meet the stem, which is called the axil. These flower clusters grow on short stalks, about 4 to 8 mm (0.16 to 0.31 in) long.
The flower-heads are shaped like short cylinders. They are 6 to 12 mm (0.24 to 0.47 in) long and packed tightly with bright yellow flowers.
Seed Pods and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, seed pods begin to form. These pods are 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in) (about 2 to 5 inches) long. They have a clear groove along each edge, which makes them easy to spot.
Inside the pods are the seeds. Each seed is about 5 to 6.5 mm (0.20 to 0.26 in) long. They have an obloid shape, which means they are like a stretched-out sphere.
Where Spreading Gidgee Lives
The spreading gidgee is found only in Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area, growing nowhere else naturally. It mainly lives in a small part of the Gascoyne River area, close to Carnarvon. There are also a few smaller groups of these trees near Wiluna.
You can often find spreading gidgee in low-lying areas. It also grows along small streams or on rocky ground. It prefers red, loamy soils, which are a mix of sand, silt, and clay. This tree often grows alongside other Acacia species. These include Acacia sclerosperma and Acacia tetragonophylla. Sometimes, you might also see it with Acacia ancistrocarpa.
