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Nuytsia Vol. 7, No. 2 (1990) 
Distribution. South-west Western Australia, predominantly in Roe Botanical District but extending 
into adjacent Avon and Eyre Botanical Districts (1:250,000 maps H50-15; 150-4, 7, 8, 11, 12). 
Most collections arc from the Gnowangcrup-Jerramungup-Chillilup Pool area with a few 
occurrences as far north as Karlgarin near Hyden. Although we do not have a representative 
collection from Gnowangcrup, K.R. Newbey (pers. comm., 31 Aug. 1987) reports iL as growing 
there. There is an outlying population, represented by E.M. Williams (PERTH 931829), in the 
Nembudding area about 200 km NNW of the main distribution. 
Habitat. Growing in Eucalyptus loxophleba or E. occidentalis low woodland or E. redunca open 
shrub mallee in clayey sand to red clay-loam. It is to be expected on lower valley slopes, colluvial 
flats on sandplain or dolcrite dikes in red crumbly soils (pers. comm., K.R. Newbey 31 Aug. 1987). 
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowers late May to September. Legumes with mature seeds 
collected November and December. 
Affinities. Acacia consobrina is rather similar to A. flavipila, differing in proportions of the 
phyllodes and their nervature in particular, but also in the number of flowers per head, and in the 
fruit size and shape. At least superficially, it also resembles A. ixiophylla which has both stellate 
and simple hairs on many parts, basal phyllodc-glands, and linear, undulate fruits. The oblique 
orientation of the seeds in the pods is unlike any of the related species which all have longitudinally 
oriented seeds. A. consobrina appears to be relatively long-lived, perhaps up to 20-25 years 
according to K.R. Newbey (pers. comm., 31 Aug. 1987). 
Conservation status. 2R, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). 
Etymology. The name has been chosen to indicate rclatcdness but distantly, i.e., cousins rather than 
siblings. 
4. Acacia flavipila A.S. George, Western Austral. Naturalist 10(2): 32 (1966) (as "Acacia 
flavopila"). 
Based on A. aurea C. Gardner, J. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 27: 174 (1942). Type: 
Stirling district, near Gnarming, Aug. 1925, W.E. Blackall (holo: PERTH 00741523); non Noronha 
ex Hoevcn & dc Vriese, Tijdschr. Natuurk. Gesch. 11: 128 (1939). 
Spreading shrubs 0.5-2 m tall. Branchlets crispate-villose to puberulous or 
appresscd-puberulous. Stipules persistent, elongate-triangular, c. 1 mm long, glabrous. Phyllodes 
elliptic to oval, mostly somewhat inequilateral, rounded to obtuse, micro-mucronulate, sometimes 
emarginate, pulvinus 0.25-0.5 mm long, crispate-pubcrulous, blades 10-22 mm long, 5-9 mm wide, 
rigid-coriaceous, patent, straight, crispate-villosulosc to glabrous, dull green, 2- or 3-ncrved on each 
face, main longitudinal nerves scarcely distinguishable from smaller nerves, forming an impressed 
reticulum. Gland situated on upper margin of phyllode 1-5 mm above pulvinus. Raceme axes 2-7 
mm long, (l-)2-headed, golden pilosulose to sericeous; basal peduncular bracts ovate, 1-1.5 mm 
long, glabrous. Peduncles 3-6 mm long, golden pilosulose to sericeous. Flower-heads globular, 
golden, 28-35-flowered; bracteoles quadrate-ovate, ovate or lanceolate, exserted or not in bud. 
Flowers 5-merous. Sepals free, lincar-oblanccolate, externally golden puberulous. Petals free, 
oblanccolatc, apically golden puberulous externally. Legumes linear, 15-30 mm long, 3-4 mm 
wide, undulate, villose. Seeds not seen. 
Distribution. South-west Western Australia in Avon and Roc Botanical Districts (1:250, (XX) maps 
H50-11, 15, 16; 150-3, 4; 151-5). Scattered from near Cadoux SE to near Dunn Swamp (c. 80 km 
NE of Ravcnsthorpe) but mostly found between Quairading and Hyden. 
Affinities. This species and A. chrysopoda are similar in their habit, globular llowcr-hcads, the 
number of flowers per head, and in floral details. They differ strongly in lorm of the phyllodia. 
