Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Information
A shrublet 0,7-1 m tall with spreading, rigid, pale, frequently thorn-like branches. Young branches short-tomentose. Long-shoot leaves with a 0,5-1,5 mm long, slightly reÂcurved, woody spur or spine at the base. LeafÂlets subfiliform, 1-3,5 mm long, weak, subte-rete, obtuse-subacute, pale green, glabrous or with few hairs. Inflorescence of 1-3 flower(s) situated rather close together on the branch ends. Bract similar to a leaflet of a foliar leaf, filiform-subulate, 3,5-4,5 mm long, someÂtimes supported by a woody spur less than 1 mm long. Pedicel 1,5-2 mm long, tomenÂtose. Bracteoles subulate, 4-5 mm long. Calyx campanulate, tomentose; lobes triangular or narrowly triangular, 1,5-2 mm long, green, often ± recurved, upper deltoid, broader than the lower. Petals light or pale yellow, standard back sometimes ± purplish. Standard blade elÂliptic-ovate, 7,8-9(-10) x 6,2-8(-8,5)mm, tomentose on the back. Wing blades 6-8 x 2,5-3,5 mm, glabrous. Keel blades subros-trate, 8,2-9,5 x 3-3,6 mm. Pistil: ovary tomentose; ovules 4-6; style glabrous; stigma regular, capitate. Pods not seen. Figure 35: 12-22.
Habitat
A very distinctive species. In the leaf base spurs it resembles A. rycroftii (no. 74), which is distinct by its marginate calyx lobes, its small bracts and bracteoles, the absence of upper-basal lobes of the keel petals, and its forwardly directed stigma.
Use
73. Aspalathus desertorum H. Bol. in J. Bot. 34: 210 (1896); Dahlg. in Op. bot. Soc. bot. Lund 9 (2): 110 (1963); ibid. 10 (1): 73 (1965). Type: Cape, Karroo Poort, Ceres DiviÂsion, Bolus 2608 (BOL, holo.!; K).
Range
Restricted to mountains in the Ceres Division, where it grows near Gydo Pass, on the Bokkeveld Tafelberg and at Karoo Poort, etc. The species grows on compact clay weathered from shales, in a fynbos-renosterbos community. Map 36.