Bossiaea barbarae J.H.Ross

Scientific Description

Erect, shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems terete, spiny at least in part, hairy; pustules or glands absent. Leaves or phylloclades clearly present, simple, alternate, not continuous with stem, 2-5.4 mm long, 1.2-3.8 mm wide, hairy, with simple hairs, flat with flat margins; margins entire; tubercles absent; pustules or glands absent. Stipules present and persistent to older leaves. Pedicel present, 2.5-4 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles 0.8-1.3 mm long, glabrous, not striate. Calyx 3-3.6 mm long, not accrescent, hairy, with simple hairs, ribless; pustules or glands absent. Corolla 8-11 mm long, multicoloured, mostly yellow or red, with some yellow or red spots, streaks or blotches; claws present; standard 9-9.5 mm long, glabrous, not auriculate, wings 6.4-7 mm long, not auriculate, keel 6-6.5 mm long, not beaked, not auriculate, glabrous. Stamens ten; anthers 0.3-0.4 mm long, at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short); filaments united in an open sheath, 5-5.5 mm long. Ovary stipitate, glabrous; style 4.5-5.7 mm long, glabrous, not bearded, terete. Fruit dehiscent (a pod or follicle), 10-18 mm long, 5-6.5 mm wide, stipitate, not constricted between the seeds, flat or compressed, glabrous, not beaked. Flowers in August, September and October. Occurs in the Eremaean and South-West Botanical Province, in the Coolgardie, Mallee and Esperance IBRA regions.