Gastrolobium spinosum, also known as prickly poison, is a shrub in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to Southwest Australia
| Prickly poison | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Gastrolobium |
| Species: | G. spinosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Gastrolobium spinosum | |
| Synonyms | |
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The species ranges from 0.3 to 3.5 metres in height. It has leaves with spiky, dentate margins and a long, tapering, pointed apex. The pea flowers are yellow to orange with a band of red surrounding the yellow centre, and a pink and maroon keel. These are produced from early spring to early summer (September to December in Australia).
The species was first formally described by English botanist George Bentham, this description being published by John Lindley in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony in 1839.
References
- Chandler, G. T.; M.D. Crisp; L.W. Cayzer & R.J. Bayer (2002). "Monograph of Gastrolobium (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae)" (PDF). Australian Systematic Botany. 15 (5): 619–739. doi:10.1071/SB01010.
- "Gastrolobium spinosum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- "Gastrolobium spinosum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.