Acacia acanthoclada

      Harrow Wattle
      Scientific classification
      Kingdom: Plantae
      (unranked): Angiosperms
      (unranked): Eudicots
      (unranked): Rosids
      Order: Fabales
      Family: Fabaceae
      Genus: Acacia
      Species: A. acanthoclada
      Binomial name
      Acacia acanthoclada
      F.Muell.

      Acacia acanthoclada (Harrow Wattle) is a low, divaricate, highly branched and spinescent shrub endemic to Australia.

      Description

      It grows up to 2 metres high and has phyllodes which measure 0.2 to 0.6 cm long and 1 to 2 mm wide. The phyllodes are straight, narrow-cuneate, slightly notched at the apex, and feature prominent midveins. Branchlets are terete, whitish and densely pubescent; as the branch grows it becomes glabrous and terminates in rigid spinose point. The bark is grey, white or occasionally greenish.

      The golden-yellow flowerheads are peduncles, 5–15 cm long, that appear at phyllode axils. Flower parts are pentamerous, with the sepals fused into a synsepalous calyx. Flowers appear from August to October, followed by irregularly twisted, glaucous, brown seed pods which are 3 to 6 cm long and 3 to 6 mm wide.

      Its occurs naturally in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria and is listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation Act in New South Wales.[1]

      The type was collected near Kulkyne, Victoria by Ferdinand von Mueller.[2]

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      Distribution

      The species is relatively uncommon and is found scattered at several sites in isolated clumps: Buronga, Wentworth and Pooncarie districts in far south-western New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Arumpo Station and Montarna Station in Western Australia. Arumpo Station in particular is home to a stunted sample, which is threantened by overgrazing by kangaroos.

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      Habitat

      This species usually grows on deep, loose, sandy soil. Its inhabits undisturbed mallee areas, often on ridges and dunes, and more rarely on rock outcrops.[3]

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      See also

      Associated species:

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      References

      1. ^ Kodela P.G. & G.J. Harden. "Acacia acanthoclada". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 21 March 2011. 
      2. ^ "Acacia acanthoclada". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 21 March 2011. 
      3. ^ "Harrow Wattle - profile". threatened species. Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW). Retrieved 21 March 2011. 
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      Last modified on 28 February 2013, at 00:23