Gastrolobium rigidum (C.A.Gardner) Crisp

Scientific Description

Genus Gastrolobium. Form erect or prostrate,spreading or scrambling. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum glabrous, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) striate, Cross section angular, Spiny on any part of plant spiny at least in part. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position opposite, Leaves simple, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem continuous with stem, Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with flat margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 20-45. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 10-15. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence glabrous. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands without glands, Ribs ribless. Length Stipule length 4. Bracteoles Presence present but early deciduous, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 4.5-4.8. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 7.5-9. Indumentum Presence hairy or glabrous, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) red, orange or purple, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) red, orange or purple, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 12-15. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles auriculate. Length Standard length 12-14.5. Wings Auricles auriculate. Length Wing length 10-14.5. Keel Auricles auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 11-13.5. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 1-1.8, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 10.5-12. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 13.5-15. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement stipitate, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 7-10. Width Fruit width 5.5-8. Indumentum Presence hairy, Indumentum type with simple hairs. Flowering time September or October. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Mallee or Esperance.