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The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The notice period started at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 +08:00 and will end at 12:00 pm on Friday, 1 January 2027 +08:00.

Tephrosia brachycarpa Benth.

Reference
Fl.Austral. 2:207 (1864)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Native to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Low perennial, herb or shrub, ca 0.1 m high. Fl. blue-purple, Apr. Sandy & gravelly soils.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 6 August 1996

Scientific Description

Genus Tephrosia. 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 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 16-30. 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) 5-7, 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 1.5-2. Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present (?) or absent (flowers sessile) (?), Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?). Length Pedicel length NaN (?). Calyx Pustules or glands present (?) or absent (?), Ribs ribbed (?) or ribless (?), Enlarged in fruit accrescent (enlarged in fruit) (?) or not accrescent (?). Length Calyx length NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Type with simple hairs (?) or with glandular hairs (?). Corolla Colour patterning multicoloured, Colour (when multicoloured - choose one colour) purple or blue, Colour (when multicoloured - choose a second colour) purple or blue, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present (?) or absent (?). Length Corolla length NaN (?). Indumentum Presence absent (?) or present (?). Standard Indumentum hairy at least in part (?) or glabrous (?), Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?). Length Standard length NaN (?). Wings Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?). Length Wing length NaN (?). Keel Auricles auriculate (?) or not auriculate (?), Indumentum hairy at least in part (?) or glabrous (?), Beak beaked (?) or not beaked (?). Length Keel length NaN (?). Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length NaN (?), Position all at the same level (filaments all the same loength) (?) or at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short) (?). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base) (?), united in an open sheath (?), united in a closed sheath (?) or united in an open sheath with one free stamen (?). Length Filament length NaN (?). Ovary Placement stipitate (?) or sessile or subsessile (?). Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular (?) or glabrous (?). Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base (?) or glabrous (?), Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) bearded (with a tuft of hairs at apex) (?) or not bearded (?), Apex terete (?) or flattened at apex (?). Length Style length NaN (?). Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement stipitate (?) or sessile or subsessile (?), Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 10-11. Width Fruit width 4-5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Indumentum type with simple hairs. Flowering time April. Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Ord-Victorian-Plain or Tanami.

C. Hollister and K.R. Thiele, 17 April 2024

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Great Sandy Desert, Ord Victoria Plain, Tanami.
IBRA Subregions
Mackay, McLarty, South Kimberley Interzone, Tanami Desert.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
East Pilbara, Halls Creek.