Clitoria australis Benth.

Scientific Description

Genus Clitoria. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, 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 80-125. 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) 7-15, 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 7.2-8.5. Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 8-9. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2-3. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 17-18. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) white, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 25-35. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 25-32. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 14-20. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 20. Stamens Number 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 15-17. 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 20. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression flat or compressed, Placement stipitate, Beak beaked. Length Fruit length 40-45. Width Fruit width 8-10. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time January, February, March or December. Distribution Botanical Province Northern, IBRA Bioregion Northern Kimberley.