Gompholobium laxum is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, open shrub with needle-shaped leaves and uniformly yellow, pea-like flowers.
| Gompholobium laxum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Gompholobium |
| Species: | G. laxum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gompholobium laxum | |
Description
editGompholobium laxum is an erect, open shrub that typically grows to a height of up to 40 cm (16 in). Its leaves are needle-shaped, 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) long and 0.4–0.5 mm (0.016–0.020 in) long but with one or two longitudinal grooves on the lower surface. The flowers are uniformly yellow, borne on pedicels 3–9 mm (0.12–0.35 in) long with bracteoles 1.5–1.8 mm (0.059–0.071 in) long. The sepals are hairy, about 9.5 mm (0.37 in) long, the standard petal 10.0–10.5 mm (0.39–0.41 in) long, wings 9.0–9.5 mm (0.35–0.37 in) long and the keel 10.5–11.6 mm (0.41–0.46 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to November and the fruit is a pod about 7.5 mm (0.30 in) long.[2]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first formally described in 1864 by George Bentham, who gave it the name Gompholobium aristatum var. laxum in Flora Australiensis.[3][4] In 2008, Jennifer Anne Chappill raised the variety to species status as Gompholobium laxum in Australian Systematic Botany.[5] The specific epithet (laxum) means "open", referring to the long pedicels.[6]
Distribution and habitat
editGompholobium laxum grows in woodland in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Mallee biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.[2]
Conservation status
editGompholobium laxum is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Gompholobium laxum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Gompholobium laxum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Gompholobium aristatum var. laxum". APNI. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ Bentham, George; von Mueller, Ferdinand (1864). Flora Australiensis. Vol. 2. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 46. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ "Gompholobium laxum". APNI. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 237. ISBN 9780958034180.