Western prickly moses facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prickly Moses |
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| A. pulchella | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
pulchella
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia pulchella, also known as Prickly Moses or Western Prickly Moses, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the pea family, called Fabaceae. This plant grows naturally only in Western Australia. It is one of the most common shrubs found in the bushland around Perth and in the Darling Range.
Contents
What Prickly Moses Looks Like
This shrub usually grows to about 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall. It has many branches that are pale green and have sharp spines at their tips. Small leaf-like parts called stipules, about 1 millimeter long, are also present.
Prickly Moses is special because it has true leaves, unlike many other Acacia plants that have flat leaf stems called phyllodes. Its leaves look feathery and are made of many tiny leaflets, each up to 5 millimeters long. At the bottom of each leaf, you will find one or two sharp spines.
Flowers and Seeds
Prickly Moses flowers in late winter and early spring. Its small, round flower-heads are about 1 centimeter wide. They are usually golden in color and have 10 to 40 flowers, sometimes even up to 60.
After the flowers, flat seed pods grow. These pods are narrow and oblong, measuring about 1.5 to 5 centimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide. Inside the pods are brown, oblong seeds, each about 2.5 to 4.5 millimeters long.
The common name "Prickly Moses" is thought to come from "prickly mimosa."
How Prickly Moses Got Its Name
The scientific name pulchella comes from Latin. It means "small" and "beautiful."
There are four different types, or varieties, of Prickly Moses:
- A. p. var. glaberrima
- A. p. var. goadbyi
- A. p. var. pulchella
- A. p. var. reflexa
Prickly Moses is part of a group of Acacia plants that includes other species like Acacia amputata, Acacia epacantha, Acacia fagonioides, Acacia guinetii, Acacia lasiocarpa, and Acacia megacephala.
Where Prickly Moses Grows
You can find Prickly Moses in many parts of Western Australia. This includes the areas of Perth, Peel, South West, Great Southern, and the southern parts of the Wheatbelt and Mid West.
It often grows in wet places like swamps, low-lying areas, and near creeks and rivers. The plant's range stretches from around Geraldton in the north down to near Esperance in the east. It also grows in coastal areas in the west and south. A small group of these plants has also been found in South Australia in Creek Conservation Park.
Plant Health and Uses
Scientists have been studying Prickly Moses. Some research suggests that this plant might help stop the spread of a plant disease called Phytophthora cinnamomi.
This prickly shrub can also be useful to people. Because it has many spines, it can be planted to create a natural barrier. This barrier can help keep animals or people from entering certain areas.
See also
In Spanish: Acacia pulchella para niños
