Stanley's rock wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stanley's rock wattle |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
stanleyi
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Stanley's rock wattle (scientific name: Acacia stanleyi) is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the large Acacia family, also known as wattles. This plant is endemic, meaning it grows naturally only in one specific place. You can find it only in the southwestern part of Australia.
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What Stanley's Rock Wattle Looks Like
This shrub usually grows to be about 2 to 3.5 meters (6.5 to 11.5 feet) tall. It has a bushy, rounded shape, almost like a cone. Its branches are quite smooth.
Its Unique Leaves and Flowers
What look like leaves on this wattle are actually called phyllodes. These are flattened stems that act like leaves. They are long and thin, about 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) long. They are usually green and curve slightly. When they get old, they turn grey. Each phyllode has eight lines running along it, with deep grooves in between.
Stanley's rock wattle blooms with bright yellow flowers. This usually happens between August and September. The flowers grow in cylinder-shaped spikes, about 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters (1 to 1.4 inches) long. These spikes are packed with golden-colored flowers.
Seeds and Seed Pods
After the flowers bloom, the plant forms thin, leathery seed pods. These pods look a bit like a string of beads. They can be quite long, from 5 to 16 centimeters (2 to 6 inches). Inside, they hold small, black seeds.
The seeds are shiny and have an oval shape. They are about 3 to 4 millimeters long. Each seed has a white or pale cream-colored aril. An aril is a fleshy covering that often helps with seed dispersal.
Where Stanley's Rock Wattle Lives
This special wattle only grows in a very small area in Western Australia. It is found in the Wheatbelt region. Scientists know of only two main groups of these plants.
They grow north and northeast of a town called Kalannie. You will often find them on or near granite rock outcrops. They prefer hard, sandy soils and are part of open woodland areas.
