Acacia acoma explained

Acacia acoma is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to inland ares of south-western Western Australia. It is an erect, spindly, open or spreading shrub with variably-shaped, often narrowly oblong phyllodes, flowers arranged in spherical heads, usually arranged in pairs in leaf axils, and strongly curved or spirally coiled pods up to long when expanded.

Description

Acacia acoma is an erect, spindly, open or spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of and has smooth bark. Its phyllodes are variably-shaped, from narrowly oblong to elliptic or egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, mostly long and wide and often sessile. The flowers are borne in a 2-headed raceme long on a peduncle long, the heads spherical, in diameter with 30 to 37 golden-yellow flowers. Flowering occurs from July to October, and the pods are strongly curved or spirally coiled, up to long when expanded and wide, containing mottled black and yellowish green seeds long with a creamy-white conical aril.[1] [2] [3]

Taxonomy

Acacia acoma was first formally described in 1999 by Bruce Maslin from specimens he collected in the Bremer Range in 1983.[4] The specific epithet (acoma) means "without a mane", referring to the lack of bristles on the plant.

Distribution and habitat

This acacia grows on roadsides, low hills, or ridges in whipstick mallee or gimlet woodland mainly from near Hyden to the Bremer Range in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie and Mallee bioregions of inland south-western Western Australia.

Conservation status

Acacia acoma is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Acacia acoma. 8 January 2024. WorldWideWattle. Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  2. Web site: Acacia acoma . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 8 January 2024.
  3. Maslin . Bruce R. . Acacia miscellany 16. The taxonomy of fifty-five species of Acacia, primarily Western Australian, in section Phyllodineae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). . Nuytsia . 1999 . 12 . 3 . 313–316 . 7 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Acacia acoma'. APNI. 7 January 2024.