Acacia anasilla is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to northern Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with whorls of 15 to 20 straight phyllodes and spherical heads of 40 to 50 flowers, and pods 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) long.
| Acacia anasilla | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Acacia |
| Species: | A. anasilla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acacia anasilla | |
| |
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Racosperma anasillum (A.S.George) Pedley | |
Description
editAcacia anasilla is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 1.5–2 m (4 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in) and has sticky, hairy stems. Its phyllodes are straight or gently-curved and arranged around a flowering stem in whorls of 15 to 20 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long, with a bristly hair on the end. There are erect, tapering stipules 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long at the base of the phyllodes. 40 to 50 densely packed yellow flowers are arranged in spherical heads on a peduncle 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long. The sepals are about 8 mm (0.31 in) long and the petals striated and 2.0–2.3 mm (0.079–0.091 in) long. Flowering occurs in July, and the fruit is a sessile pod 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide containing between 3 and 10 seeds, each about 4 mm (0.16 in) long with a large aril.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
editAcacia anasilla was first formally described in 1999 by the botanist Alexander Segger George in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.[4][5] The type specimen was collected from Mabel Downs Station near Winnimarra Spring in 1989 by K.A.Menkhorst. It is similar in appearance to Acacia lycopodiifolia and Acacia smeringa.[3] The specific epithet (anasilla) means 'bristling hair', referring to the overall appearance of the plant.[4]
Distribution
editThis species of Acacia is endemic to an area in the Kimberley region of Western Australia where it is found in arid barren quartzite ranges[6] or on granite or sandstone slopes as a part of open Eucalyptus brevifolia woodland communities.[3] Early collections were made around Halls Creek and the Ord River.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Acacia anasilla". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ George, Alex S. Kodela, Phillip G. (ed.). "Acacia anasilla". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Acacia anasilla". World Wide Wattle. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ a b c George, Alex S. (1999). "Seven new species in Acacia section Lycopodiifolia (Mimosaceae)". Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 82 (2): 67–69. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Acacia anasilla". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Acacia anasilla". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.