About Pultenaea flexilis Sm.
Pultenaea flexilis Sm., also commonly known as graceful bush-pea, is an erect shrub that usually reaches a maximum height of 4 meters (13 feet). Its stems are sometimes sparsely covered in fine hairs. The leaves range in shape from linear to narrow egg-shaped, with the narrower end positioned toward the base. Each leaf measures between 8 and 20 millimeters (0.31 to 0.79 inches) long and 2 to 4 millimeters (0.079 to 0.157 inches) wide. Stipules 2 to 4 millimeters (0.079 to 0.157 inches) long grow at the base of each leaf, and the lower surface of the leaf is darker than the upper surface. Flowers of this species grow in clusters near the ends of branchlets, and each flower is 8 to 10 millimeters (0.31 to 0.39 inches) long. Every individual flower sits on a pedicel that is 2 to 5 millimeters (0.079 to 0.197 inches) long. The sepals are 3 to 5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.20 inches) long, and papery, linear bracteoles 1 to 3 millimeters (0.039 to 0.118 inches) long are located near the base of the sepals. The petals are yellow to orange, and sometimes have red markings. Flowering takes place from winter through spring, and the fruit produced is a pod that measures 6 to 9 millimeters (0.24 to 0.35 inches) long. This species grows in forest habitat on the coast and tablelands of south-east Queensland and New South Wales, ranging south as far as Deua National Park.
