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Bossiaea atrata J.H.Ross

Reference
Muelleria 23:98-102, Fig.32 (2006)
Conservation Code
Priority Three
Naturalised Status
Native to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Compact, dense, intricately-branched, rigid, spinescent herb, to 1.2 m high. Fl. orange-yellow-red-brown, May to Aug. White sand or sandy loam over laterite or clay, quartzite sand, clay.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 27 September 2007
Image

Scientific Description

Genus Bossiaea. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum glabrous, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section terete, Spiny on any part of plant spiny at least in part. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate, Leaves simple, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem not 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 3-6. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 1.5-2.4. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence glabrous. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands with glands (?) or without glands (?), Ribs ribbed (?) or ribless (?). Length Stipule length NaN (?). Bracteoles Presence present and persistent (?), absent (?) or present but early deciduous (?), Indumentum hairy, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 1.2-2. Pedicel Presence present (?) or absent (flowers sessile) (?), Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?). Length Pedicel length NaN (?). Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 4-4.5. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) yellow, red, orange or brown, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) yellow, red, orange or brown, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 9-10.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 9.5-10. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 8.2. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum hairy at least in part, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 6-7. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length NaN (?), Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath. Length Filament length 5-6. 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 NaN (?). Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression flat or compressed, Placement stipitate, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 17. Width Fruit width 7. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time May, June, July or August. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Coolgardie, Avon Wheatbelt, Mallee or Esperance. Conservation Code Priority Three (P3).

C. Hollister and K.R. Thiele, 17 April 2024

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Mallee.
IBRA Subregions
Merredin, Recherche, Southern Cross, Western Mallee.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Dalwallinu, Dowerin, Dundas, Kondinin, Kulin, Lake Grace, Ravensthorpe.