Pultenaea tuberculata Pers.

Species Nomenclature and Growth Form

Pultenaea tuberculata Pers. is a spreading to upright shrub that reaches up to 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) in height.

Stem Characteristics

Its stems are soft with curly hairs, which are hidden by stipules.

Leaf Arrangement and Shape

The leaves are arranged alternately, grow crowded along stems, and range in shape from narrowly elliptic to narrow egg-shaped or spathulate, with a flat to concave cross-section.

Leaf Size

Most leaves measure 3.2–15 mm long and 1.5–5 mm wide.

Leaf Surface and Margin Features

The leaf apex is either pointed or rounded, and rarely aristate, the leaf margins curve inward, and the upper leaf surface is a lighter green than the underside.

Stipule Size

Stipules on this species are 3–6.5 mm long.

Inflorescence Structure

Inflorescences grow at the ends of stems, mostly forming dense, leafy clusters.

Flower Size and Coloration

Individual flowers are 10–16 mm long, orange-yellow with red markings, and are borne on a 0.5–1.5 mm long pedicel.

Bracteole and Calyx Features

The hairy bracteoles are 4–7 mm long and joined to the stipules just below the apex, and the calyx is 7.5–8 mm long.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs from September to February, and the fruit is a swollen pod approximately 5 mm (0.20 in) long.

Common Name and Habitat

Also known as wreath bush-pea, this species grows in relatively high rainfall areas, in dry sclerophyll forest, scrub and heathland on sandstone.

Distribution Range

Its natural range extends from Lake Macquarie in the north to Bermagui in the south of New South Wales.