Indigofera helmsii Peter G.Wilson

Scientific Description

Genus Indigofera. 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 opposite, Leaves simple, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem not continuous with stem, Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with incurved margins (conduplicate), Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 4-17. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 1.5-5. 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 but early deciduous, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present (?) or absent (flowers sessile) (?), Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?). Length Pedicel length NaN (?). Calyx Pustules or glands present (?) or absent (?), Ribs ribbed (?) or ribless (?), Enlarged in fruit accrescent (enlarged in fruit) (?) or not accrescent (?). Length Calyx length NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Type with simple hairs (?) or with glandular hairs (?). Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) pink, red or purple, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) pink, red or purple, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present (?) or absent (?). Length Corolla length NaN (?). Indumentum Presence absent (?) or present (?). Standard Indumentum hairy at least in part (?) or glabrous (?), Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?). Length Standard length NaN (?). Wings Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?). Length Wing length NaN (?). Keel Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?), Indumentum hairy at least in part (?) or glabrous (?), Beak beaked (?) or not beaked (?). Length Keel length NaN (?). Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length NaN (?), Position all at the same level (filaments all the same loength) (?) or at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short) (?). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath with one free stamen. Length Filament length NaN (?). Ovary Placement stipitate (?) or sessile or subsessile (?). Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular (?) or glabrous (?). Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base (?) or glabrous (?), Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) bearded (with a tuft of hairs at apex) (?) or not bearded (?), Apex terete (?) or flattened at apex (?). Length Style length NaN (?). Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement sessile or subsessile, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 14-45. Width Fruit width 2-2.3. Indumentum Presence hairy, Indumentum type with simple hairs. Flowering time July. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Central Ranges.