Two-veined hickory facts for kids
The Two-veined hickory (Acacia binervata) is a special type of shrub or tree. It only grows naturally in eastern Australia. People often call it the two-veined hickory because of its unique leaves.
Quick facts for kids Two-veined hickory |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
binervata
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Contents
What Does the Two-Veined Hickory Look Like?
This plant can be a tall shrub, growing up to 5 meters (about 16 feet) high. It can also be a tree, reaching up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. It usually grows straight up or spreads out. Its bark is grey-black or grey-brown and can be smooth or rough.
The young branches are smooth and grow angled towards the tips. Instead of regular leaves, this plant has special flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are what give the plant its name, "binervata," which means "two-veined." They have two clear veins running through them.
These phyllodes stay green all year. They are shaped like a narrow oval or a wider oval, sometimes even like a spear. They are usually straight, about 6 to 14 centimeters (2.4 to 5.5 inches) long and 10 to 30 millimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches) wide.
Flowers and Seed Pods
The Two-veined hickory blooms between August and November. Its flowers grow in groups of 3 to 12 along the branches. Each flower cluster is round, about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) across. They have 30 to 50 pale yellow or almost white flowers.
After the flowers, flat, straight seed pods grow. These pods can be squeezed in between the seeds. They are about 3.5 to 14 centimeters (1.4 to 5.5 inches) long and 9 to 14 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. Inside, the seeds are arranged lengthwise. The seeds are shiny black, shaped like an oblong oval, and about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long. Each seed has a black cap called an aril.
How the Two-Veined Hickory Got Its Name
A botanist named Augustin Pyramus de Candolle first officially described this plant in 1825. Later, in 1987, another botanist, Leslie Pedley, gave it a different name, Racosperma binervatum. But in 2014, it was moved back to the Acacia group. It also has another old name, Acacia umbrosa.
Where Does the Two-Veined Hickory Grow?
This plant is found along the east coast of Australia. It grows from southeastern Queensland down through most of coastal New South Wales. You can find it from around Narooma in southern New South Wales up to the Mount Tambourine area in southern Queensland. It also grows inland to places like Mittagong.
It likes moist places with sandy soil or soil made from volcanic rock (basalt). It often grows in tall sclerophyll forests, which are forests with tough, leathery-leaved plants. It can also be found at the edges of rainforests.
How to Grow the Two-Veined Hickory
You can grow the Two-veined hickory from its seeds. However, the seeds need a special treatment called scarification before you plant them. This means gently scratching or nicking the hard seed coat to help water get in and start germination.
This plant is strong and grows quickly. It does well in damp areas and prefers full sun or partial shade. It can be a good tree for shade or a windbreak. It can also be used as a hedge. It is also resistant to frost, which means it can handle cold temperatures.
