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Acacia papyrocarpa

Scientific Name: Acacia papyrocarpa

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Acacia papyrocarpa - Western Myall

Acacia papyrocarpa, commonly known as western myall, is a tree native to Australia.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant has phyllodes (modified leaves) that resemble needles.
  • The name "Acacia" is derived from the Greek word for "sharp point or thorn".
  • Ants remove the seeds of Acacia papyrocarpa.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acacia papyrocarpa Benth.
  • Common Name: Western Myall
  • Family: Fabaceae (also referred to as Mimosaceae)
  • Synonym: Acacia sowdenii Maiden
  • Taxonomic Serial No.: 819767

Distribution and Habitat

Acacia papyrocarpa is endemic to Australia, specifically found on limestone plains in southern and Western Australia. It is often found in arid and semi-arid pastoral lands. It can also be found in South Australia and can be seen in Witjira National Park in South Australia and grows in the Goldfields.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Tall shrub or small tree, typically 3-8 meters high. Can grow to 7m tall, or 10'-20' tall depending on conditions.
  • Dense, neat, rounded, spreading crown.
  • Bark is rough and fissured.
  • Evergreen foliage.
  • Drooping, linear, grey foliage.
  • Phyllodes (modified leaves) resemble needles, ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 inches long, flat, and softly curved.

Ecological Role

In arid chenopod shrublands of South Australia, these lands have been heavily degraded by sheep grazing since the 19th century, thus affecting the ecology of this plant.

The presence of Acacia papyrocarpa can have localized effects on soils and vegetation in open woodlands of South Australia.

Ants play a role in seed dispersal by removing seeds of Acacia papyrocarpa.

Quirky Facts

  • Recruitment of Western Myall happens infrequently, about once in 20 years.

Further Information

  • Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.
  • Tropicos
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne holdings