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The Red Mulga (Acacia cyperophylla) or Minni Richi is easily identified by it strips of curly red bark. A large shrub/tree, it can grow anywhere between 4 to 6 metres in height.
The term ‘minni ritchi’ refers to a type of reddish brown bark that continuously peels in small curly flakes. The tree looks like it has a coat of red curly hair. There are other species of shrubs/trees that are also known as ‘minni ritchi’ such as the Acacia trachycarpa, also commonly known as the Pilbara minni ritchi.
The modified leaves (phyllodes) are stiff and sharply pointed and are a grey green in colour. The yellow flowers are cylindrical in shape. As with many other Acacias, the flowers often appear after rain events.
The species are found along rocky watercourses in the arid region. It is a widespread in arid areas of Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland.
Common name
Red Mulga, Minni Richi, Creekline Miniritchi, Mineritchie. The Arrernte name is Apmurne (pronouced up-MORN-a).
The Alice Springs Desert Park has some fine examples of these trees along the walkway from the car park and the central seating area in the park courtyard where the tree provides some welcomed shelter during the summer. There are also some red mulgas near the Sand Country entrance to the Nocturnal House.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Rosids
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Clade: Mimosoideae
- Genus: Acacia
- Species: A. cyperophylla
- Binomial name: Acacia cyperophylla
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