Swamp wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp wattle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
elongata
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Acacia elongata, also known as the swamp wattle or slender wattle, is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Acacia family and is found only in the coastal areas of eastern Australia. This means it is endemic to that region, so it naturally grows there and nowhere else in the world.
Contents
What Does the Swamp Wattle Look Like?
The swamp wattle is usually a shrub or a small tree. It can grow to be about 1 to 7 meters (3 to 23 feet) tall. It has an upright and open shape, with branches that are a bit hairy and have yellow ribs.
Like many Acacia plants, the swamp wattle doesn't have true leaves. Instead, it has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are smooth and thin, like leather. They are usually long and narrow, often curving inward. They can be 4 to 17 centimeters (1.5 to 6.5 inches) long and 1 to 7 millimeters (0.04 to 0.27 inches) wide. Each phyllode has three raised lines, or nerves, on it.
Flowers and Seed Pods
The swamp wattle blooms between July and October. Its flowers grow in groups of one to three, but sometimes as many as seven. These groups appear on short stems that are 1 to 15 millimeters long. Sometimes, the flowers grow right where the phyllodes meet the stem.
The flower heads are round, like small balls, and are about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) across. Each flower head has 20 to 40 flowers that are a bright lemon-yellow color.
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces straight, flat seed pods. These pods are thin and a bit brittle, like paper. They have small bumps over each seed. The pods are 3 to 11.5 centimeters (1.2 to 4.5 inches) long and 3 to 5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.2 inches) wide. They have a few scattered hairs on them.
Where Does the Swamp Wattle Grow?
The swamp wattle is found along the east coast of Australia. Its range stretches from Kingscliff in northern New South Wales down to Eden in the south. It also grows inland as far as Wagga Wagga. You can also find it in the eastern highlands of Victoria. In some other parts of Victoria, it has started to grow naturally even though it wasn't originally from there.
This plant usually grows near water, like along rivers, creeks, and in swamps. It prefers sandy soils and is often found in areas with Eucalyptus trees or in heathland communities.
How is the Swamp Wattle Grown?
Even though the swamp wattle is not grown everywhere, smaller versions of it are sometimes planted in gardens. These plants grow quickly and can start flowering within one or two years after being planted from a seed.
The swamp wattle can grow in many different types of soil, as long as the soil stays fairly moist. It can also grow well in full sun or in partial shade.
To grow new plants from seeds, you need to prepare the seeds first. This can be done by scratching the seed coat (called scarification) or by soaking the seeds in boiling water. This helps the seeds sprout. The swamp wattle is a good choice for areas where the ground doesn't drain water very well. It can also handle light frosts and a bit of salt spray.
Images for kids
-
Habit
See also
In Spanish: Acacia retinodes para niños
