The Prickly Moses (Acacia Pulchella) known to the Noongar people, as Mindaleny, is a paradox. Hidden amongst the masses of spectacularly cheerful bright yellow flowers are sharp spiny thorns. Why? Read on.
Introduction:
Endemic to the Southwest of Western Australia, Prickly Moses is the most common shrub found in Perth Bushland and the Darling Ranges. Its range extends from Geraldton in the north to Esperance in the south.
Common in the Jirdarup Bushland, it can be seen proudly displaying masses of its golden flower balls from Bunuru (June) to Kambarang (October).
Growth habit:
Prickly Moses is a dense, medium sized shrub growing 1-1/2 metres high with tiny leaves. Prior to flowering, it can be seen covered in soft green foliage and buds. One or two sharp thorns at the base of the buds will be clearly visible. Prickly Moses is one of only a few Acacia species to have true leaves rather than phyllodes ie modified leaf stems
When flowering, the bush is often smothered in golden flower balls and if you look closely, approximately 40 flowers will be seen in each flower ball.
Why the thorns?
The Prickly Moses provides homes to many small birds, invertebrates, reptiles and small mammals with the thorns being a deterrent to would be predators.
An important role in the bushland
Seeds that have lain dormant in the soil for years respond to fire by germinating prolifically and producing abundant flowers in the following season. This provides a quick source of shelter and food for returning fauna.
Being a short- lived plant, Prickly Moses is thought to contribute to soil fertility that benefits other plants after it dies.
According to Hansen and Horsfall, it is an important food source for Noongar people who ground the seeds to make flour used to make damper (mereny).
Photos by Lesley Newport, Natalie Ong, Vicki Caulfield and Shialeigh Szymanski
