Mirbelia dilatata R.Br.
Holly-leaved Mirbelia

Scientific Description

Genus Mirbelia. 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 spiny at least in part. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate, Leaves simple, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem continuous with stem, Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with flat margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet dentate, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 12-25. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 10-22. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence glabrous. Stipules Presence present but early deciduous ( only visible on youngest leaves ), Glands with glands (?) or without glands (?), Ribs ribbed (?) or ribless (?). Length Stipule length NaN (?). Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 3.5-6.5. 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) pink or purple, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) pink or purple, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 12.5-15.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 11-12.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 11-13. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 10-12. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.5-0.7, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 8-10. Ovary Placement stipitate (?) or sessile or subsessile (?). 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 11-11.5. 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 January, September, October, November or December. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Warren, Esperance or Swan Coastal Plain.