Swainsona colutoides F.Muell.
Bladder Vetch

Scientific Description

Genus Swainsona. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum glabrous, 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 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 60-160. 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) 9-19, Arrangement pinnately arranged. Terminal leaflet Presence present, Stalk stalked. Indumentum Presence glabrous. 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 (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 2-4.5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 5-6. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) purple, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 15-24. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 11-23. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 9-16. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak beaked (?) or not beaked (?). Length Keel length 14-24. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 1.4, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath with one free stamen. Length Filament length 10-20. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. 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 14-27. 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 30-40. Width Fruit width 12-15. Indumentum Presence glabrous. Flowering time April, June, August, September, October, November or December. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean or South-West, IBRA Bioregion Murchison, Coolgardie, Avon Wheatbelt or Mallee.