Pultenaea arida is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a low, spindly, spreading shrub with small, flat, hairy leaves and yellow, red or orange flowers.
| Pultenaea arida | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Pultenaea |
| Species: | P. arida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pultenaea arida | |
Description
editPultenaea arida is a spindly, prostrate or spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) with hairy stems. The leaves are flat, 4–6.5 mm (0.16–0.26 in) long and about 3 mm (0.12 in) wide and hairy with stipules 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) long at the base. The flowers are yellow, red or orange with spots and blotches of yellow, red or orange. Each flower is borne on a pedicel 1–4.5 mm (0.039–0.177 in) long with hairy bracteoles 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long at the base. The sepals are 5–6.5 mm (0.20–0.26 in) long and hairy. The standard petal and wings are 5–6.5 mm (0.20–0.26 in) long and the keel 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to December and the fruit is an oval pod.[2]
Taxonomy and naming
editPultenaea arida was first formally described in 1904 by Ernst Georg Pritzel in the Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.[3] The specific epithet (arida) means "arid or dry".[4]
Distribution and habitat
editThis pultenaea grows on flats in sandy or clay soils in the Coolgardie and Mallee biogeographic regions in the south of Western Australia.[2]
Conservation status
editPultenaea arida is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Pultenaea arida". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ a b c "Pultenaea arida". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Pultenaea arida". APNI. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 137. ISBN 9780958034180.