Sphaerolobium alatum Benth.

Scientific Description

Genus Sphaerolobium. Form prostrate,spreading or scrambling. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum glabrous, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section flattened, 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 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 0.5-1. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence apparently absent even from the 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 glabrous. Length Pedicel length 1.2-1.5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 5-6.5. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) yellow, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) red or brown, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) red or brown, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 9-12.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 7.6-10. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 6.5-7. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 6.5-7.6. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.4-0.6, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 5.5-6.5. Ovary Placement stipitate. 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 7.8-9. 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 July, September, October or November. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Warren or Esperance.