Acacia ampliata

Acacia ampliata is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to a restricted area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub or small tree with hairy branchlets, linear phyllodes, golden-coloured flowers arranged in oblong to short-cylindrical heads, and linear pods up to 110 mm long.

Description
Acacia ampliata is shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 2–5 m and has finely fissured bark. The phyllodes are ascending to erect, linear, 80–190 mm long, 3–6 mm wide with a prominent central vein and many closely parallel secondary veins. The flowers are golden-coloured, arranged in 1 or 2 oblong to short-cylindrical heads 6–12 mm long, 7–8 mm wide, on a peduncle 3.5–9 mm long and with many flowers. Flowering occurs from about April to August or from October to December, and the pod is linear, leathery to crust-like, up to 110 mm long, 5–6 mm wide and slightly constricted between the seeds. The seeds are shiny, dark brownish-black, and 4.5–6 mm long.

Taxonomy
Acacia ampliata was first formally described in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected by Maslin, 5 km south of Mullewa on the road to Mingenew in 1981. The specific epithet (ampliata) means "enlarged", referring to the wide phyllodes.

Distribution and habitat
This species grows in mallee scrub on loam or sand, mostly near Mullewa with a single collection near Coolcalalaya 100 km north of Mullewa.

Conservation status
Acacia ampliata is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations where it is potentially at risk.