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Gastrolobium polystachyum Meisn.
Horned Poison

Reference
Lehm., Pl.Preiss. [J.G.C.Lehmann] 2:217 (1848)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Native to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Erect, spreading shrub, to 1 m high. Fl. orange&yellow&red&pink, Jul to Sep. White sand over laterite, sandy or gravelly clay over granite. Sandplains, gravelly ridges & undulating rises.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 9 December 2003
Image

Scientific Description

Genus Gastrolobium. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section terete or angular, Spiny on any part of plant not spiny. 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 or revolute, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 15-34. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 2(-10). Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands without glands, Ribs ribless. Length Stipule length 5-8. 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 0.7-3.2. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 3.5-4.5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) yellow, pink, red or orange, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) yellow, pink, red or orange, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 7-9. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles auriculate. Length Standard length 6-8.6. Wings Auricles auriculate. Length Wing length 7. Keel Auricles auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 6. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length NaN (?), Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 5-5.2. 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 4-4.2. 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 NaN (?). Width Fruit width NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Indumentum type with simple hairs (?) or with glandular hairs (?). Flowering time August or September.

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

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain.
IBRA Subregions
Dandaragan Plateau, Katanning, Lesueur Sandplain, Merredin, Northern Jarrah Forest.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Carnamah, Coorow, Dandaragan, Irwin, Moora, Perenjori, Three Springs, Victoria Plains.