Bossiaea cucullata J.H.Ross

Scientific Description

Erect, shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems flattened, spiny at least in part, glabrous; pustules or glands absent. Leaves or phylloclades absent or apparently so (reduced to scales), simple, alternate, flat with flat margins; margins entire, 2; pustules or glands absent. Stipules present and persistent to older leaves. Pedicel present, 2-4 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles 1.2-1.5 mm long, hairy, not striate. Calyx 9-10.5 mm long, not accrescent, glabrous, ribless; pustules or glands absent. Corolla 16-17 mm long, multicoloured, mostly yellow or red, with some yellow or red spots, streaks or blotches; claws present; standard 8-15 mm long, glabrous, not auriculate, wings 8.5-10 mm long, not auriculate, keel 12-13 mm long, not beaked, not auriculate, glabrous. Stamens ten; anthers 0.8-1 mm long, at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short); filaments united in an open sheath, 12-16 mm long. Ovary stipitate, glabrous; style 13-14 mm long, glabrous, not bearded, terete. Fruit dehiscent (a pod or follicle), 30-32 mm long, 4-6 mm wide, stipitate, not constricted between the seeds, flat or compressed, glabrous, not beaked. Flowers in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Occurs in the Eremaean and South-West Botanical Province, in the Coolgardie, Avon Wheatbelt and Mallee IBRA regions.