Mirbelia viminalis
Species of legume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mirbelia viminalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. It is an erect to spreading, spiny, leafless shrub with yellow flowers.
| Mirbelia viminalis | |
|---|---|
| |
| In the Kimberley region | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Mirbelia |
| Species: | M. viminalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mirbelia viminalis | |
Description
Mirbelia viminalis is an erect to spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.4–2 m (1 ft 4 in – 6 ft 7 in) and has many spine-tipped branches, its leaves reduced to scales. The flowers are similar to those of M. ramulosa except that the bracteoles are close to the base of the sepals. The outer surface of the sepals has hairs pressed against it, and the petals are entirely yellow. Flowering occurs in most months, and the fruit is a pod 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy
This species of Mirbelia was first formally described in 1837 by George Bentham in Commentationes de Leguminosarum Generibus, based on an unpublished description by Allan Cunningham, who gave it the name Jacksonia viminalis.[4] In 1930, Charles Gardner changed the name to Mirbelia viminalis in Enumeratio Plantarum Australiae Occidentalis.[5] The specific epithet (viminalis) means "having long, thin branches."[6]
Distribution and habitat
Conservation status
Mirbelia viminalis is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] and as of "least concern" in the Northern Territory and Queensland.[3][7]