Acacia jensenii Maiden, in A.J.Ewart & O.B.Davies (as ‘Jenseni’), Fl. N. Territory 332, t. 26, figs H–M (1917)
Spindly, open, glabrous, resinous shrub or tree 2–6 m high, with one or two slender main stems from the base, closely related to A. dictyophleba and A. sabulosa but distinguished in the following ways. Phyllodes linear to linear-oblanceolate or narrowlly elliptic, 2.5–6 cm long, 3–6 mm wide, l:w = 7–13, prominently 1-nerved per face, occasionally with an imperfect longitudinal nerve parallel to midrib; lateral nerves longitudinally anastomosing and normally not overly prominent; basal gland oblong, infrequently linear, 0.5–1 mm long, 0–3 mm above pulvinus. Mature pods and seeds not seen, but immature pods 7–8 mm wide and probably with oblique seeds.
Scattered and infrequent in the north-western and central arid zone, W.A., and at L. Surprise, Tanami Desert, N.T.; growing on the upper slopes and crests of sand dunes. Also in the Edgar Ra., southern Kimberley, W.A.; in sandstone gullies.
Along with A. melleodora and A. sabulosa this species may possibly be better treated as an infraspecific taxon of A. dictyophleba . However, the absence of mature pods and limited habit/habitat details make it difficult to accurately assess its status. Most reliably distinguished from A. dictyophleba and A. melleodora by its narrow, usually linear and 1-nerved phyllodes. The spindly open habit of A. jensenii helps to further distinguish the species from its relatives, however, a variant of A. dictyophleba with similar growth characteristics is discussed under that species.
Used for spears by Aborigines.
Type of accepted name
70 miles [113 km] N of N.T. Survey Camp 4 (sphalm. ‘14’), N.T., 20 June 1911, G.F.Hill 384 ; holo: NSW; iso: K, MEL, NT, PERTH.
Illustration
J.H.Maiden, loc. cit.
Representative collections
W.A.: c. 17 km (by track) SW of Well 35, Canning Stock Route, A.S.George 15654 (BRI, DNA, PERTH); Edgar Ra., K.F.Kenneally 5630 (PERTH, TLF). N.T.: L. Surprise, Lander R., J.R.Maconochie 1689 (NSW, NT, PERTH).
(BRM)
The information presented here originally appeared on the WATTLE CD-ROM which was jointly published by the Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra, and the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth; it was produced by CSIRO Publishing from where it is available for purchase. The WATTLE custodians are thanked for allowing us to post this information here.
