Mirbelia balsiformis R.Butcher

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 not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence absent or apparently so (reduced to scales), Position alternate, Leaves simple (?) or compound (?), 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 entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length NaN (?). Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width NaN (?). Scale leaves length mm long 1.5-2. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence apparently absent even from the youngest leaves (?), present and persistent to older leaves (?) or 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 glabrous, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 1. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribbed, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 5.3-7. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) yellow or red, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) yellow or red, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 7-8.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 7-8.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 5-7. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 5.5-6.4. 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 3.5-5. 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 5-5.6. 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 6-7. Width Fruit width 8-10. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time July, August, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Carnarvon, Yalgoo or Geraldton Sandplains.