Acacia willingii

[[Acacia willingii]] is an outdated botanical name, now considered a [[synonym]] for [[Acacia cochlocarpa subsp. cochlocarpa]], a species of [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] belonging to the genus [[Acacia]] and the [[pea family]] ([[Fabaceae]]). The accepted name, ''Acacia cochlocarpa'' subsp. ''cochlocarpa'', is endemic to [[Western Australia]].

Description

''Acacia cochlocarpa'' subsp. ''cochlocarpa'' typically grows as an erect or spreading [[shrub]], reaching heights of 0.5 to 2.5 metres (1.6 to 8.2 ft). Its [[phyllode]]s (flattened leaf stalks that function as leaves) are rigid, often linear to narrowly elliptic in shape, tapering to a pungent (sharp) point. They typically measure 2 to 9 centimetres (0.8 to 3.5 in) long and 1 to 5 millimetres (0.04 to 0.20 in) wide, with numerous closely parallel nerves, one usually more prominent.

The plant produces [[inflorescence]]s (flower clusters) in the form of globular [[flower head]]s, which are bright golden in colour and contain 25 to 50 individual [[flower]]s. These typically appear between May and September. Following flowering, it produces distinctive [[fruit]]s (seed pods) that are coiled or spirally twisted, woody or leathery in texture, and measure 3 to 10 centimetres (1.2 to 3.9 in) long and 4 to 6 millimetres (0.16 to 0.24 in) wide. The [[seed]]s within are oblong, dark brown, and about 3.5 millimetres (0.14 in) long.

Taxonomy

The name ''Acacia willingii'' was formally described by [[Victorian]] botanist [[Ferdinand von Mueller]] in 1883, based on a specimen collected by L. Willingham in Western Australia. However, it was later determined to be conspecific with and superseded by the earlier description of ''Acacia cochlocarpa''. The currently accepted classification is ''Acacia cochlocarpa'' subsp. ''cochlocarpa'' within the genus ''Acacia'', [[section]] ''Plurinerves''.

Distribution and Habitat

''Acacia cochlocarpa'' subsp. ''cochlocarpa'' is native to a broad area of the [[Wheatbelt (Western Australia)|Wheatbelt]], [[Goldfields-Esperance]], and [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] regions of Western Australia. Its distribution extends from around [[Mullewa]] in the north, south to the [[Stirling Range National Park|Stirling Range]] and east to [[Israelite Bay]]. It commonly grows in lateritic or granitic soils, often as part of [[mallee]] [[shrubland]], open [[woodland]], or [[heathland]] communities.

Conservation Status

As of current assessments, ''Acacia cochlocarpa'' subsp. ''cochlocarpa'' is not considered to be [[threatened species|threatened]] and is listed as "not threatened" by the [[Western Australian Government|Western Australian]] Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.