Cajanus acutifolius (Benth.) Maesen

Scientific Description

Erect or prostrate,spreading or scrambling, shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems flattened or winged, spiny at least in part, glabrous; pustules or glands absent. Leaves or phylloclades clearly present, compound, alternate, continuous with stem, 45-90 mm long, hairy, with simple hairs, flat with flat margins; margins entire; tubercles absent, pinnately arranged, terminal leaflet present, stalked; pustules or glands absent. Stipules present and persistent to older leaves. Pedicel present, 5-6.5 mm long, hairy. Bracteoles absent. Calyx 10-13 mm long, not accrescent, hairy, with simple hairs, ribless; pustules or glands absent. Corolla 16-19.5 mm long, multicoloured, mostly yellow or white, with some yellow or white spots, streaks or blotches; claws absent; standard 16-19 mm long, glabrous, not auriculate, wings 13-15.5 mm long, auriculate, keel 14.5-18 mm long, not beaked, not auriculate, glabrous. Stamens ten, at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short); filaments united in an open sheath with one free stamen, 12-18 mm long. Ovary stipitate, hairy or glandular; style 17-18 mm long, hairy or glandular towards the base, not bearded, terete. Fruit dehiscent (a pod or follicle), 35-40 mm long, 8-10 mm wide, stipitate, constricted between the seeds, round in cross-section, hairy, with simple hairs, not beaked. Flowers in February, April, May, June, July and August. Occurs in the Northern and Eremaean Botanical Province, in the Pilbara, Northern Kimberley, Central Kimberley and Dampierland IBRA regions.