Dillwynia sericea A.Cunn.

Taxon Identity

Dillwynia sericea A.Cunn. is an erect to low-lying, heath-like shrub.

Size and Branch Characteristics

It typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 meters (1 foot 8 inches to 3 feet 3 inches), and bears stiff, hairy branches that are especially hairy when young.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are linear, ranging from 5 to 20 millimeters (0.20 to 0.79 inches) long and less than 1 millimeter (0.039 inches) wide.

Flower Arrangement

Flowers are most often arranged in pairs in leaf axils, but may also occur singly or in larger groups.

Flower Pedicel Structure

Each flower is roughly sessile, or borne on a pedicel less than 1 millimeter (0.039 inches) long.

Floral Bracts

Initially, the developing flower is topped with leathery brown bracts 2.5 millimeters (0.098 inches) long that fall off as the flower matures.

Sepal Dimensions

The sepals of this species are 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.

Standard Petal Features

The standard petal is nearly twice as long as the sepals, often wider than it is long, apricot-colored with a red base.

Wing and Keel Petal Morphology

The petals known as wings are reddish and lance-shaped, with the narrow end oriented toward the base, and the keel measures about 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) long.

Flowering Period

Flowering takes place from September through December.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruit produced is an oval pod around 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) long, that usually contains two seeds.

Habitat

This species, commonly called the showy parrot-pea, grows in heath, woodland, and forest.

Distribution

It is widespread and common in eastern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and eastern Tasmania, and also occurs in south-eastern Queensland and south-eastern South Australia.