Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Genus Mirbelia Higher classification Faboideae | Order Fabales Subfamily Faboideae Scientific name Mirbelia oxylobioides Rank Species | |
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Similar Mirbelia, Legumes, Faboideae, Mirbelieae, Dillwynia | ||
Mirbelia oxylobioides is an erect and spreading shrub in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to Australia.
Contents
Description
The species grows to 299 metres in height and has stems covered with soft downy hairs. The pointed leaves are narrow and ovate and arranged in pairs. They are 2 to 10 mm long and 1 to 4 mm wide. The pea flowers are orange-yellow with red markings and are usually produced between October and January in the species native range. These are followed by down-covered brown pods.
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae in 1861.
Distribution
The species occurs in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. In the latter state, it is only found in the Heathy Hills Nature Reserve near Elderslie where it is threatened by the effects of drought and the invasion of gorse. Consequently, it is classified as "vulnerable" under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act.