Swainsona canescens (Lindl.) F.Muell.
Grey Swainsona

Scientific Description

Genus Swainsona. Form prostrate,spreading or scrambling. Habit herb. 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 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 60-145. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width NaN (?). Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Leaflets Number more than three, Number of leaflets (if more than three) 11-15, Arrangement pinnately arranged. Terminal leaflet Presence present, Stalk stalked. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older 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 4-4.5. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2-2.5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 5.5-9. 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 present. Length Corolla length 11-15.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 10-15.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 9-11. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak beaked (?) or not beaked (?). Length Keel length 14-16. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 1-1.2, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath with one free stamen. Length Filament length 10-12. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence 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 flattened at apex. Length Style length 16-18. 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 May, July, August, September, October, November or December. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Pilbara, Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Yalgoo, Murchison, Great Victorian Desert, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains or Mallee.