Hovea acanthoclada (Turcz.) F.Muell.
Thorny Hovea

Scientific Description

Genus Hovea. Form erect or prostrate,spreading or scrambling. 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 spiny at least in part. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position whorled, 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 lobed or dentate, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 2-5.5. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 2-2.6. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. 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, Indumentum hairy, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 0.7-1.2. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2-2.6. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 4-5.6. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) purple or blue, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) purple or blue, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 8-10. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 8-9.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 7.5-8. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 5.5-7. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.3-0.4, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath with one free stamen. Length Filament length 3-4.7. Ovary Placement stipitate or sessile or subsessile. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Style Indumentum glabrous, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 6.2-6.7. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement stipitate or sessile or subsessile, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 6-7. Width Fruit width 9-10. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time July, August, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Coolgardie, Mallee or Esperance.