Desmodium macrocarpum Domin

Domin, K. (1928) Bibliotheca Botanica 89: 768. Type: Queensland: durre Savannenwälder bei Jericho (DOMIN III. 1910).

Large-podded trefoil

Subshrub up to 50 cm tall; branchlets with dense indumentum of stiff hairs; stipules ovate, 5-6 x 2.8-3 mm, longitudinally veined, pubescent.

Leaves 1 to rarely 3-foliolate; petiole 25-50 mm long; leaflets ovate to rhombic, obtuse, mucronolate at the apex, truncate to subcordate at the base, stiff hairs on surfaces; terminal leaflets 25-30 x 20-40 mm, stipels 2.5-4 mm long, setaceous. Lateral veins 7-8 on each side of the midrib. Stipules narrowly triangular, 4-5 x 1-2 mm, hairy.

Inflorescence up to 200 mm long, fascicles of 2 flowers; primary bracts similar to the stipules; pedicels 2-3 mm long. Flowers white to pale mauve; calyx 4-lobed, ca. 4 mm long, pubescent; standard orbicular, tapered to the base, 6-6.5 x 6.5-7 mm; wings 6-6.5 x 2-3 mm; keel petals ca. length of wings; stamens diadelphous; ovary with dense indumentum of short hairs.

Pod straight with up to 4 articles, ca. triangular, 9-10 x 5-6 mm, with dense indumentum of short stiff hairs. Seed smooth, brown, ca. oblong, 5-6 x 3-3.5 mm, with a distinct rim aril.

Features not available.

Occurs in NEQ, CEQ and southwards to south eastern Queensland. Altitudinal range from 190-900 m. Grows in open Eucalypt forest, in vine thicket and Eucalypt woodland.