Family

Fabaceae

Distribution

Widespread in eastern N.S.W. and eastern Vic., with an isolated occurrence very close to the Qld/N.S.W. border in the Tenterfield district and SE Qld; apparently occurring as an adventive in S.A., southern Vic. and south-western W.A.

Description

Commonly an erect shrub or small tree to 10 m high. Phyllodes erect or spreading, 5–20 (–25) cm long, 5–20 mm wide, thin, pliable, mostly dark green. Pods usually straight, mostly coriaceous.

Phenology

Flowers June.–Oct. and usually fruits Dec.–Jan.

Specimens

Qld: Tugun, C.T.White 7112 (BRI). N.S.W.: 5 miles (8 km) SW of Wallangarra, 17 Aug. 1904, J.L.Boorman s.n. (NSW); 26.9 km from Bowenfels near Lithgow, N.Hall H84/69 (NSW); Hanging Rock N of Marulan, P.Hind 5474 (MEL, NSW). Vic.: Captain Cook Natl Park, A.C.Beauglehole 33493 (MEL, NSW). W.A.: Charterhouse Rd Swamp, Eaton, G.J.& B.J.Keighery 780 (PERTH).

Notes

This subspecies grades almost imperceptibly into subsp. sophorae, however, the phyllodes of subsp. longifolia are thinner and more pliable and are also usually wider at or below the middle while those of subsp. sophorae are mostly wider at or above the middle. The phyllodes of subsp. longifolia also narrow gradually towards the apex while those of subsp. sophorae usually narrow abruptly.

FOA Reference

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

Author

B.R.Maslin

A.B.Court