Challenges & AdaptationsA challenge that the golden wattle and many other plants face is the time that the seeds germinate and start to grow. The timing of the germination is crucial as it determines how long the plant may be able to survive. The seeds of the golden wattle have a special coating that is shiny and hard. This coating must deteriorate before the seed can start to grow. The benefit of this adaptation is that it ensures that the golden wattle only grows when the conditions of the surrounding environment are ideal.
Another threat of the golden wattle is the issue of other creatures, herbivores in particular, feeding on the wattle. The adaptation of the golden wattle that deals with this problem occurs in the leaves of the wattle. The leaves of the golden wattle have nectary glands along the midrib (main vein of the leaf) which is believed to attract ants for the nectar. The ants will also attack small herbivores such as caterpillars, therefore protecting the golden wattle. |