Sphaerolobium gracile Benth.

Scientific Description

Genus Sphaerolobium. Form prostrate,spreading or scrambling. 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 not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate, Leaves simple, 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 10-25. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 1.5-2. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). 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 2-3. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 3.5-6.5. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) yellow or orange, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) yellow or orange, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 6-8. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 6-7.2. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 5-7. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 3.5-5. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length NaN (?), Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 3-3.5. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular (?) or glabrous (?). Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) bearded (with a tuft of hairs at apex), Apex terete. Length Style length 7. 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 4-5. Width Fruit width 3.5-5. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time January, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Geraldton Sandplains or Avon Wheatbelt.