Acacia spinescens Benth.

Scientific Name

Acacia spinescens Benth.

Description

Growth Habit

This erect, multi-branched shrub typically grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 metre (2 to 3 ft).

Branchlet Features

It has rigid, terete, green spiny branchlets marked with yellow rib striations.

Leaf Characteristics

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.

Flowering Traits

It flowers between July and October, producing solitary flower-spikes that bear bright yellow, globular flower-heads.

Seed Pod Features

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.

Seed Characteristics

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

Habitat Context

This species grows in a range of soil types and ecological communities, and associates with other plant species.

South Australia Range

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.

Eastern States Range

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.