About Acacia spinescens Benth.
Scientific name: Acacia spinescens Benth.
Description: This erect, multi-branched shrub typically grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 metre (2 to 3 ft). It has rigid, terete, green spiny branchlets marked with yellow rib striations. The plant usually has few or no leaves; leaves sometimes persist only at the base of the plant. When present, leaves have a curved or hooked shape and a prominent mid-vein. It flowers between July and October, producing solitary flower-spikes that bear bright yellow, globular flower-heads. After flowering, it forms dark brown seed pods that are linear, curving and often twisted in shape. Each pod measures around 30 millimetres (1.2 in) in length and 3.5 mm (0.1 in) in width. Pods contain hard, dark brown, ovoid-shaped seeds. Each seed measures around 3.5 mm (0.1 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide.
Distribution: This species grows in a range of soil types and ecological communities, and associates with other plant species. In South Australia, it occurs in southern areas extending from the Great Victoria Desert in the west through to the Victorian border in the east, and it is also found on Kangaroo Island. In Victoria, the species only occurs in eastern areas within the mallee and goldfields regions, with its range extending north into south-western New South Wales.
