Mirbelia spinosa Benth.

Scientific Description

Genus Mirbelia. Form erect. 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 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 recurved margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 2.5-4. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 0.8-1.2. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. 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, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 2-3. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 1.5-2. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 7-8. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) yellow, red, orange or brown, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) yellow, red, orange or brown, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 9-15. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 8.2-12.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 6.5-9.5. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 4-6.4. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.4-0.5, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 3.5-4. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Style Indumentum glabrous, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 4.2-5. 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 June, July, August, September, October or November. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Carnarvon, Murchison, Geraldton Sandplains, Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Esperance or Swan Coastal Plain.