The mighty mulga grows deep and lives long

Among the nearly 1,000 species of Australian acacias, there are few with a reputation for hardiness, resilience and endurance to match mulga. Once the higher rainfall of the coastal fringes of the continent diminishes, from west to east and south to north, the mulga prevails. 

It grows over the vast expanse of about 20% of our continent and is often the dominant woody species of the grassland communities that are themselves known as the mulga. It is also an important shrub component of inland woodlands, such as those dominated by poplar box, Eucalyptus populnea. 

Any species that covers 1.5 million km² of any landmass is clearly a vital part of its ecosystems.

Read the story from The Conversation by the Doctor of Botany from the University of Melbourne, Gregory Moore - “The mighty mulga grows deep and lives long."