Tephrosia densa (Benth.) R.Butcher

Scientific Description

Genus Tephrosia. Form erect. 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 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 90-155. 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) 9-11, 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 6-10. 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 3-4.5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 5.5-6.5. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) orange, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals present. Length Corolla length 6.5-12. Indumentum Presence present. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 5.5-11.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 5-10. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 5.5-8. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length 0.4-0.6, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in an open sheath with one free stamen. Length Filament length 5-7. Ovary Placement sessile or subsessile. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 7-9. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement sessile or subsessile, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 40-56. Width Fruit width 4-6. Indumentum Presence hairy, Indumentum type with simple hairs. Flowering time January (?), February (?), March (?), April (?), May (?), June (?), July (?), August (?), September (?), October (?), November (?) or December (?). Distribution Botanical Province Northern or Eremaean, IBRA Bioregion Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara, Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Little Sandy Desert, Murchison or Dampierland.