Acacia pataczekii | |
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Onset of flowering in late winter | |
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. pataczekii |
Binomial name | |
Acacia pataczekii | |
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Occurrence data from AVH |
Acacia pataczekii (commonly known as Pataczek's wattle or Wally's wattle [1] ) is a rare leguminous species of flowering plant endemic to Tasmania, Australia. An attractive evergreen shrub to small tree grown ornamentally outside of its native range, it is believed to be the most frost hardy of all the Acacia.
Erect and bushy shrub or tree 4–6 m high [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] (rarely to 9 m) [7] and variable width [8] belonging to the subgenus Phyllodineae . [9] Bark and branches pruinose. [3] Young branches are angular [2] and may be reddish brown [3] [5] where exposed to direct sunlight. [10] Adult foliage is of flattened leaf stalks (known as Phyllodes), grey-green to a bluish-glaucous colour, glabrous, on raised stem-projections, variable in shape and size, (narrowly oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate, sometimes obovate) but more commonly obliquely elliptic, 2–6 cm (<10 cm [10] ) long, 8–20 mm (<50 mm [10] ) wide, with a sharp leaf tip, prominent thickened margins and midrib. [2] [3] On the upper margin approx. 2–4 mm (<10) from the base of the phyllode a conspicuous, small, oval shaped gland is present. [2] Inflorescence occurs mostly in spring in axillary racemes longer than the phyllodes, consisting of 10-15 bright yellow globular flowers resulting in seed pods that are flat and narrowly oblong 2.5-4.5 cm long and 7–11 mm wide. [2] [3] [4] The purplish brown pod contains 3-6 flattened, brown seeds. [2] [5]
Acacia pataczekii, D.I.Morris, Rec. Q. Vic. Mus. 50: 1 (1974). [11] [12] [13]
This species was first described by Dennis I. Morris in 1974 after having been brought to the Tasmanian Herbarium's attention by forester and plant collector, Wolfgang "Wally" F. Pataczek [14] [15] [16] [17] (1932-2009) in 1970, and 1972 [18] and subsequently the discovery named in his honour.
It has been mistaken in the past as A. melanoxylon, A. myrtifoliia, and A. mucronata and has been suggested to be a hybrid due to its rarity and limited sexual reproduction, however has multiple morphological differences. [4]
Most closely related to A. kettlewelliae, which is distinguished especially by its more elongate phyllodes with the gland 5–15 mm above the pulvinus and pods 5–10 cm long [3] and is a species that occurs only on the mainland of Australia. [19]
Acacia pataczekii is native to the Australian island state of Tasmania with a limited range in pockets predominantly within the north east [20] at altitudes between approx. 500–1400 m asl; however, natural populations do occur in the Southern Midlands Region and also does well under cultivation at sea level. [4] [18] [21] It naturally exists as a shrub layer, understory tree or as scattered individuals in moist gullies and flats, mountain summits, slopes and plateau scarps in low woodland to tall open, dry, wet and mixed Eucalyptus forests, [4] most of which dominated by Eucalyptus delegatensis . [22]
In its native range A. pataczekii grows in a cool temperate climate; however, at altitude is exposed to harsh cold winds, frost and snow. It survives on a range of soils, aspects and slopes in areas that receive from 750 mm to 1500 mm of rain annually. [4] On some sites soils are shallow and exposed to high levels of evaporation indicating drought tolerance [4] and it has also been shown to have an efficient water transport system. [23] [24] It reproduces both sexually and vegetatively, freely suckering from rhizomes and the tree base following disturbance such as tree fall, animal digging and fire. [4] [5] [7] Flowers are most likely pollinated by bees, but flies and spiders have been sighted that could also. [4] [5] Successful fertilisation leading to fruit and seed formation is severely hindered due to insect predation and galling of flowers. [4] Following fire or other gap forming disturbance seed from previous year's fruit or from within the soil seed bank readily germinate yet A. pataczekii is sensitive high fire frequency. [5] Root rot caused by the fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi has a slight detrimental impact. [25] [26] As with other members of the Fabacaea family, A. pataczekii fixes atmospheric nitrogen with root nodules into the soil, making it available for other plants and local ecosystem. Hybridisation has been reported with A. dealbata amongst wild stands and in cultivation. [3]
Acacia pataczekii is listed as "rare" under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 [27] under Tasmanian legislation. It is an offense to destroy or collect [28] wild material without a permit. Restrictions apply to the export of plant material however there is no regulation to import the seed in to Australia. [29] Healthy populations exist on reserved land at Ben Lomond National Park, Gravelly Ridge Conservation Area and St Paul's Regional Reserve. [5] Other populations occur on private land and timber production forest. Special precaution must be taken when timber is harvested [7] and mineral prospectors may not pursue mining licenses due to potential damage and conservation requirements. [30] [31] Ex situ conservation measures include seed orchards and restoration plantings [32] and stored seed. [33] [34] Increasing fire frequency, land clearing, insect attack and Phytophthora cinnamomi appear to be the greatest threats which would be lessened with an increase in areas reserved. [35] Acacia pataczekii is not known to be an invasive species outside of its native range. [36] [37]
An uncommon and highly sought after garden plant, Pataczek's wattle is best suited in a sunny to partly shaded wind protected area in cool or warm temperate climates. [6] [8] [38] A hardy plant, reported to survive -18 °C in winter and is drought tolerant it can be grown in most soil types. Recommended USDA Zone 7b to 8. [39] With a medium to fast growth rate, 2–3 m height can occur within 5 years from seedling, about the same time it takes to flower. Grown in botanic and residential gardens around the world, [33] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] it can be used as an informal hedge, screen or specimen plant. [8] In late winter to early spring buds form and explode into a mass of bright yellow flowers, often obscuring the foliage. A second flush of flowers can occur in summer in suitable conditions. [10] New foliage is blue-green and silky to the touch and set amongst red brown angular stems. Suckering can occur when soil is disturbed adjacent, but can be kept in a pot if soil is kept moist.
Acacia leprosa, also known as cinnamon wattle, is an acacia native to Australia. It occurs in woodland in Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria. It occurs as a hardy shrub or small tree. The phyllodes are 3–14 cm long and contain oil glands. The lemon-yellow flowers occur as globular heads in clusters in the leaf axils. The fruit is flat seed pod.
Acacia cultriformis, known as the knife-leaf wattle, dogtooth wattle, half-moon wattle or golden-glow wattle, is a perennial tree or shrub of the genus Acacia native to Australia. It is widely cultivated, and has been found to have naturalised in Asia, Africa, North America, New Zealand and South America. A. cultriformis grows to a height of about 4 m (13 ft) and has triangle-shaped phyllodes. The yellow flowers appear from August to November in its natural range. Its attractive foliage and bright flowers make it a popular garden plant.
Acacia pycnantha, most commonly known as the golden wattle, is a tree of the family Fabaceae. It grows to a height of 8 metres and has phyllodes instead of true leaves. The profuse fragrant, golden flowers appear in late winter and spring, followed by long seed pods. Explorer Thomas Mitchell collected the type specimen, from which George Bentham wrote the species description in 1842. The species is native to southeastern Australia as an understorey plant in eucalyptus forest. Plants are cross-pollinated by several species of honeyeater and thornbill, which visit nectaries on the phyllodes and brush against flowers, transferring pollen between them.
Acacia pulchella, commonly known as prickly moses or western prickly moses, is a shrub in the family Fabaceae. Endemic to Western Australia, it is one of the most common shrubs of the bushland around Perth and in the Darling Range.
Acacia implexa, commonly known as lightwood or hickory wattle, is a fast-growing Australian tree, the timber of which is used for furniture making. The wood is prized for its finish and strength. The foliage was used to make pulp and dye cloth.
Acacia longifolia is a species of Acacia native to southeastern Australia, from the extreme southeast of Queensland, eastern New South Wales, eastern and southern Victoria, southeastern South Australia, and Tasmania. Common names for it include long-leaved wattle, acacia trinervis, aroma doble, golden wattle, coast wattle, sallow wattle and Sydney golden wattle. It is not listed as being a threatened species, and is considered invasive in Portugal, New Zealand and South Africa. In the southern region of Western Australia, it has become naturalised and has been classed as a weed by out-competing indigenous species. It is a tree that grows very quickly reaching 7–10 m in five to six years.
Acacia enterocarpa, commonly known as jumping jack wattle, is a shrub species that is endemic to eastern Australia.
Acacia stenophylla is a species of Acacia commonly referred to as the shoestring acacia. It is an evergreen tree in the family Fabaceae native to Australia. It is not considered rare or endangered.
Acacia verticillata is a perennial shrub to small tree native to south eastern Australia.
Acacia genistifolia, commonly known as spreading wattle or early wattle is a species of Acacia in the family Fabaceae that is native to south eastern Australia.
Gahnia grandis is a tussock-forming perennial plant found in southeastern mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Acacia gunnii, commonly known as ploughshare wattle or dog's tooth wattle, is a woody shrub which is endemic to south-eastern Australia found in dry heaths and woodlands. It ranges from Queensland, then New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, down to Tasmania. Acacia gunnii grows to up to 1 metre high and has prickly phyllodes which are 4 to 15 mm long. The cream to pale yellow globular flowerheads appear singly in the axils of the phyllodes in June to October, followed by curved or coiled seed pods which are 40 mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide. Acacia gunnii grows up to 1 meter tall and has prickly phyllodes which are 4 to 15mm in length with cream to pale-yellow globular flower heads appearing in phyllode axils in June through to October, followed by curved or coiled seed pods which are 40mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide. The species was first formally described by English botanist George Bentham in the London Journal of Botany in 1842. It occurs in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland.
Acacia cowleana, Halls Creek wattle, is a northern Australian native shrub. It is a flowering plant with yellow flowers that only open in winter. Its origin is the Northern Australia's dry tropics. It belongs to the genus of Acacia.
Agastachys odorata, commonly known as the white waratah or fragrant candlebush, is the sole member of the genus Agastachys in the protea family. It is an evergreen shrub to small tree and is endemic to the heaths and button grass sedgelands of western Tasmania.
Acacia burkittii is a species of wattle endemic to Western Australia, South Australia and western New South Wales, where it is found in arid zones, and is a perennial shrub in the family Fabaceae. Common names for it include Burkitt's wattle, fine leaf jam, gunderbluey, pin bush and sandhill wattle. It has also been introduced into India. Previously this species was referred to as Acacia acuminata subsp. burkittii, but is now considered to be a separate species. Grows in mallee, eucalypt and mulga woodland or shrubland, often on sandhills.
Trochocarpa gunnii, commonly known as sweet-scented trochocarpa or fragrant purpleberry, is a common rainforest understorey shrub from the plant family Ericaceae endemic to Tasmania.
Acacia glandulicarpa, commonly known as the hairy-pod wattle, is a perennial shrub belonging to the genus Acacia and the subgenus Phyllodinea that is native to parts of south eastern Australia.
Acacia leptostachya, commonly known as Townsville wattle or slender wattle, is a shrub or small tree belonging to the genus Acacia and the subgenus Juliflorae that is native to north eastern Australia.
Monotoca glauca, known as goldy wood, is a heath family shrub endemic to Tasmania, Australia and is one of 17 described Monotoca species. It is a widespread and abundant understory species found on the margins of wet eucalypt forests and logged areas.
Olearia ledifolia, commonly known as rock daisy bush, is a species of flowering plant of the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Tasmania and found at higher altitudes where it grows as a low, compact bush with tough, leathery leaves and small white and yellow daisy-like "flowers" in summer.