Indigofera hirsuta L.
Hairy Indigo

Scientific Description

Genus Indigofera. Form twining or climbing plants. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) 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 recurved margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 20-70. 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) 7-9, 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 3.5. 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 1. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 4-5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) pink, red or orange, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) pink, red or orange, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 8. Indumentum Presence absent. 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 not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 4-6.4. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 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 4.5-5. Ovary Placement sessile or subsessile. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Style Indumentum glabrous, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 5-5.2. 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 12-17. Width Fruit width 2-3. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August or September. Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Pilbara, Northern Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte, Central Kimberley, Ord-Victorian-Plain or Dampierland.