Family: Fabaceae
Author: R.Br.
Bibliography: W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kew. 5: 464 (1814)
Year: 1814
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Acacia
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: WSW. & SW. Australia
Description
Prickly moses, scientifically known as Acacia pulchella, is a fascinating plant native to the regions of Western and Southwestern Australia. Originally described by W.T. Aiton in the work “Hortus Kewensis” (1814), it was later named by the botanist Robert Brown.
Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Prickly moses is a resilient plant often found thriving in the diverse landscapes of its home range. The plant features sharply pointed leaves, which give it its common name. These leaves not only serve as a defense mechanism against herbivores but also add to the plant’s distinctive appearance.
Prickly moses typically blooms in periods of warmer weather, producing small, bright yellow flowers that attract various pollinators. Its ability to adapt to different soil types, including the nutrient-poor sandy soils of its native habitat, is a testament to its hardiness. Over time, it has become an integral part of the local ecosystem, contributing to the biodiversity of the region.
In addition to its ecological role, Acacia pulchella has garnered attention for its potential uses in habitat restoration and as a plant of interest in horticulture due to its eye-catching appearance and adaptability. Care should be taken, however, due to its prickly nature, making it less suitable for areas frequented by people and pets.
Prickly moses continues to be a subject of study, adding valuable insight into the rich flora of Western Australia and the intriguing adaptations of native plant species in challenging environments.
Common Names
Eng: prickly moses, western prickly moses
En: Prickly moses, Western Prickly Moses
Synonyms
- Mimosa pulchella ((R.Br.) Poir.)
- Racosperma pulchellum ((R.Br.) Pedley)
- Acacia pulchella f. typica (E.Pritz.)
Distribution
- Western Australia (native)
- India (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Michal Svit (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Michal Svit (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 1, 1991 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Michal Svit (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2980170)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:471259-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acacia pulchella R.Br.)
