Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning

Scientific Description

Genus Lessertia. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section flattened, Spiny on any part of plant not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate, Leaves compound, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem not continuous with stem (?) or continuous with stem (?), Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with recurved margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 45-70. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width NaN (?). Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Leaflets Number more than three, Number of leaflets (if more than three) 13-17, Arrangement pinnately arranged. Terminal leaflet Presence present, Stalk stalked. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands without glands, Ribs ribless. Length Stipule length 4.5-6.5. Bracteoles Presence absent, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2-5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 7-8.5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) red or orange, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) red or orange, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present (?) or absent (?). Length Corolla length 17.5-32. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 15-19. Wings Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?). Length Wing length NaN (?). Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 19-25. Stamens Number nine (?) or ten (?). Anthers anther length 1-1.2, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base) (?), united in an open sheath (?), united in a closed sheath (?) or united in an open sheath with one free stamen (?). Length Filament length 13-21. Ovary Placement sessile or subsessile. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) bearded (with a tuft of hairs at apex), Apex terete. Length Style length 17.5-24. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle) (?), indehiscent and not splitting into sections (?) or indehiscent and splitting into sections (schizocarps) (?), Constriction constricted between the seeds (?) or not constricted between the seeds (?), Compression flat or compressed (?) or round in cross-section (?), Placement sessile or subsessile. Length Fruit length 45-75. Width Fruit width 14-35. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time January. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Geraldton Sandplains, Avon Wheatbelt or Esperance.