Swainsona microphylla A.Gray
Small-leaf Swainsona

Scientific Description

Genus Swainsona. Form erect. 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 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 35-180. 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) 13-61, Arrangement pinnately arranged. Terminal leaflet Presence present, Stalk stalked. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence present and persistent to older leaves, Glands without glands, Ribs ribless. Length Stipule length 2.4-3.5. Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 1-1.3. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 3-4. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 5-5.5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) purple, 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 10-10.5. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 8-9. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 7-8.5. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 9-10.2. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.6-0.7, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath with one free stamen. Length Filament length 5.6-8. 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 terete. Length Style length 11-11.5. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction not constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement stipitate. 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, August or September. Distribution Botanical Province Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Gascoyne, Little Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, Central Ranges, Great Victorian Desert, Coolgardie or Hampton.