Tephrosia brachyodon Domin

Domin, K. (1912) Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis 11: 262. Type: Queensland, Cape Upstart, Voyage of Rattlesnake, Botany no. 237, John MacGillivray, May 20th 1848; Percy Island, A. Cunningham, June 1821.

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-2 m tall, occasionally flowers when smaller.

Stipules linear, about 2-4 mm long. Leaflet blades about 24-30 x 8-9 mm, leaflet stalks 1-2 mm long. Underside of the leaflet blade clothed in pale prostrate hairs. Rhachis of the compound leaf distinctly grooved on the upper surface.

Inflorescence about 6-25 cm long. Calyx about 3-4 mm long, clothed in rusty hairs. Petals: standard about 9-13 x 8-15 mm; wings about 8-15 mm long, exceeding the keel. Stamens 10, filaments fused to form a tube open on one side. Stigma papillose or consisting of a tuft of hairs.

Fruits about 25-50 x 3-4 mm with about 5-9 seeds per fruit. Seeds almost cylindrical, about 3.5-4 x 2.5 mm. Radicle curved and located close to the edge of the cotyledons.

Features not available.

Endemic to Australia (?), occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards as far as south-eastern Queensland. Also widespread in central Australia. Altitudinal range in northern Australia from near sea level to 700 m. Usually grows in open forest but sometimes found in monsoon forest.

A widespread and very variable species. Of no grazing significance. Hacker (1990).