Templetonia aculeata (F.Muell.) Benth.

Scientific Description

Erect, shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems angular, spiny at least in part, hairy; pustules or glands absent. Leaves or phylloclades clearly present, simple, alternate, 7-17 mm long, 1.5-4 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, 3-5 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles present and persistent, 2-2.4 mm long, hairy, not striate. Calyx 6-6.5 mm long, not accrescent, hairy, with simple hairs, ribless; pustules or glands absent. Corolla 16-18 mm long, multicoloured, mostly yellow, red or brown, with some yellow, red or brown spots, streaks or blotches; claws present; standard 15.5-17.5 mm long, glabrous, not auriculate, wings 12-15 mm long, auriculate, keel 13-16 mm long, not beaked, 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, 13-17 mm long. Ovary stipitate, hairy or glandular; style 17-19 mm long, hairy or glandular towards the base, not bearded, terete. Fruit dehiscent (a pod or follicle), stipitate, not constricted between the seeds, flat or compressed, beaked. Flowers in August and September. Occurs in the Eremaean and South-West Botanical Province, in the Murchison, Great Victorian Desert, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains, Avon Wheatbelt, Mallee and Esperance IBRA regions.