Family

Fabaceae

Distribution

Known only from near Koolpin Gorge, Kakadu Natl Park, N.T.

Description

Erect shrub 0.4–1 (–2) m high, often multi-stemmed. Branchlets smooth, pruinose, glabrous. Phyllodes narrowly elliptic to elliptic or obovate, straight to strongly recurved, 3.8–12.4 cm long, 8–36 mm wide, thinly coriaceous, dull grey green, typically pruinose or glaucous, glabrous; with 3 distant main longitudinal nerves and numerous prominently raised anastomoses, the nerve islands isodiametric with smallest less than 1 mm across. Inflorescences simple or racemose or rarely paniculate; raceme axes 7.5–18 cm long; peduncles 15–35 mm long, 1–3 per axil; heads globular, 35–53-flowered, golden. Flowers 5-merous; sepals free. Pods narrowly oblong, prominently raised over seeds, straight, 42–110 mm long, 7–13 mm wide, chartaceous, glabrous. Seeds longitudinal, obloid to discoid, 6–7.5 mm long, dull, dark brown or black, exarillate.

Phenology

Flowers May–Nov.

Habitat

Frequent along seasonal creek lines and clay loam flats downstream from the gorge.

Specimens

N.T.: between Coronation Hill and Koolpin Gorge, R.Hinz 547 (DNA); Fisher Ck, M.Lazarides 7692 (B, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW, US); road to Koolpin Gorge, B.R.Maslin 7371 (DNA, PERTH); 5 km S of Koolpin Ck, M.O.Rankin 1626 (BRI, DNA, K, MO).

Notes

This distinctive species is part of a species complex centred in the southern part of Kakadu Natl Park. The complex includes A. hemignosta and A. sp. El Sharana (N.B.Byrnes 1326) and further work may result in the recognition of additional taxa.

FOA Reference

Data derived from Flora of Australia Volumes 11A (2001), 11B (2001) and 12 (1998), products of ABRS, ©Commonwealth of Australia

Author

G.J.Leach

Minor edits by B.R.Maslin