Aeschynomene indica L.
Budda Pea

Scientific Description

Genus Aeschynomene. 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 not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate, Leaves compound, 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 90. 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) 23-33, Arrangement pinnately arranged. Terminal leaflet Presence present, Stalk stalked. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands without glands, Ribs ribless. Length Stipule length 8-15. Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 3.5-3.8. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum glabrous. Length Pedicel length 3.5-5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 4.8-7. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) yellow or red, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) yellow or red, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 8-10. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles auriculate. Length Standard length 8.2-10. Wings Auricles auriculate. Length Wing length 7.3-9.5. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 8.5-10.2. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.5-0.7, 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 5.6-7.5. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Style Indumentum glabrous, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 7-8. Fruit Type indehiscent and not splitting into sections, Constriction constricted between the seeds, Compression flat or compressed, Placement stipitate, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 30-45. Width Fruit width 4-5. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time March, April, May, June, August or October. Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Little Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, Murchison, Northern Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte, Central Kimberley, Ord-Victorian-Plain or Dampierland.