Trichome

Watheroo wattle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Acacia
Species:
A. aristulata
Binomial name
Acacia aristulata
Occurrence data from AVH

Acacia aristulata, also known as Watheroo wattle,[1] is a shrub belonging to the genus Acacia and the subgenus Phyllodineae endemic to Western Australia.

Description[edit]

The erect or scrambling shrub typically grows to a height of 0.25 to 1 metre (1 to 3 ft)[2] and with a width of up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in).[1] It blooms from September to December and produces lemon- yellow to creamy-white flowers.[2] The spherical flower heads can last until January or February and the seed pods take around a year to become mature.[1]

Taxonomy[edit]

The species was first formally described by the botanist Bruce Maslin in 199 as part of the work Acacia miscellany. The taxonomy of fifty-five species of Acacia, primarily Western Australian, in section Phyllodineae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) as published in the journal Nuytsia. It was reclassified as Racosperma aristulatum in 2003 by Leslie Pedley, then transferred back to the genus Acacia in 2005.[3]

Distribution[edit]

It is native to an area on the Lesueur sandplain in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.[2] The shrub is found between Moora and Watheroo and is known in four localities extending within a range of approximately 35 km (22 mi).[1]

Habitat[edit]

It is most often situated among rocky outcrops on top of low rocky ridges and hills growing in sandy-loamy-clay soils over granite and chert. The shrub is often a part of Allocasuarina woodland or low open shrubland communities. Species commonly associated with Acacia aristulata include Allocasuarina huegeliana, Diplolaena angustifolium, Dianella revoluta and Dryandra sessilis.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Acacia aristulata — Watheroo Wattle". Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Acacia aristulata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. ^ "Acacia aristulata Maslin". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 21 March 2019.

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