coastal wattle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• coastal wattle
• redeye

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Racosperma eglandulosum
• Acacia eglandulosa
• Acacia mirbelii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Finally, it is classified under the genus Acacia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in both Portugal and Spain. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the territory of Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is established in Northern Africa, particularly in Morocco. Finally, its range reaches the Macaronesia islands, including the Azores.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acacia cyclops is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of topographical gradients, spanning an elevational range from a minimum of 10 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. This broad altitudinal distribution allows the species to inhabit various ecological niches, typically favoring open landscapes, disturbed sites, and rocky terrains where it can establish itself effectively. As a resilient member of the Fabaceae family, its distribution is often linked to specific soil compositions and moisture availability within these varying altitudes, enabling it to persist in both lowland coastal or semi-arid environments and higher montane zones.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

10 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Acacia cyclops is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its natural habitat. Throughout its life cycle, it maintains an evergreen status, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen foliage enables the species to maintain continuous photosynthetic activity, contributing to its resilience and ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acacia cyclops is characterized by its woody structure and growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or a small tree. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it operates as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species is terrestrial in its habitat, not exhibiting aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of vertical dimension, the plant exhibits significant size variability; it can reach a minimum height of 0.8 m, with a mean height of approximately 3.7 m, and can grow to a maximum height of up to 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

3.7 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acacia cyclops is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for many woody legumes that facilitates carbon fixation through the Calvin cycle. In terms of its morphological adaptations related to gas exchange and light interception, the plant exhibits an elliptic leaf form, which influences the surface area available for transpiration and photosynthetic activity. This combination of a C3 metabolic framework and specific leaf geometry allows the plant to manage its water use efficiency and energy production within its native ecological niches.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acacia cyclops is characterized by a flowering cycle that is highly variable, beginning as early as January and continuing through to December. The plant produces small, yellow flowers that typically range in length from 0.21 cm to 0.25 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fleshy fruit in the form of pods, which can reach a maximum length of 10 cm. These pods are dehiscent, meaning they split open to release the seeds. The seeds themselves possess a mean mass of approximately 0.021637 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.0243 g to a maximum of 0.03824 g, and a consistent seed volume of 110 mm³. Dispersal is facilitated through a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a key role in spreading the seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.25 cm

Flower length min:

0.21 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass max:

0.03824 g

Seed mass mean:

0.021637 g

Seed mass min:

0.0243 g

Seed volume max:

110 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Acacia cyclops has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Flavonoids.

Flavonoid

1. Natural product research
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Flavonoids

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Activities

Acacia cyclops has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Natural product research

Medicinal Uses

Acacia cyclops has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include ovarian cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations