Acacia coatesii

Last updated

Coates cushion wattle
Status DECF P1.svg
Priority One — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Acacia
Species:
A. coatesii
Binomial name
Acacia coatesii
Synonyms [1]

Acacia sp. Londonderry (N.Gibson 6433) WA Herbarium

Contents

Acacia coatesii, commonly known as Coates cushion wattle, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to a small area in inland Western Australia. It is a low-domed, intricately branched, compact, rigid shrub with lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic or oblong phyllodes, spherical heads of bright golden yellow flowers, and oblong pods.

Description

Acacia coatesii is a low-domed, intricately branched, compact, rigid shrub that typically grows to a height of 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) and forms hemispherical cushions. Its phyllodes are usually straight, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic or oblong, 6–15 mm (0.24–0.59 in) long and 1.5–3 mm (0.059–0.118 in) wide with a prominent vein. The flowers are borne in spherical heads on a peduncle 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, each head 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter with 8 or 9 bright golden yellow flowers. Flowering occurs in September and October and the immature pods are oblong, 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy

Acacia coatesii was first formally described in 2014 by Bruce Maslin from specimens collected south of Coolgardie in 2012. [3] [6] The specific epithet (coatesii) honours "Dr David (Dave) Coates, senior principal research scientist with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, in recognition of his major contribution to science and the conservation of Western Australian flora". [4]

Distribution and habitat

Coates cushion wattle is known only from a single population south of Coolgardie, where it grows in red sandy clay on flat or gently sloping ground in open woodland over open shrubland. [4]

Conservation status

Acacia coatesii is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, [2] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations where it is potentially at risk. [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Acacia coatesii". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Acacia coatesii". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 Maslin, Bruce R. (2014). "Miscellaneous new species of Acacia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) from south-west Western Australia". Nuytsia. 24: 142–145. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Maslin, Bruce R. Kodela, Phillip G. (ed.). "Acacia coatesii". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "Acacia coatesii". Australian Biological Resources Study. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Acacia coatesii". APNI. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
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