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ADÉSMIA uspallatensis.
Thorny Adesmia.
Linnean Class and Order. D E C A N D R IA M O N O G Y N IA .
Natu ra l Order. L E G U M IN O S .E . Juss . gen. p. 345.
A D E SM L A . Calyx 5-fidus, laciniis acutis sub-®qualibus. Corolla
papilionacea, vexillo juniore super alia petala complicato, carinà apice
curvo-truncatà. Stamina distincta, approxiraata. Legumen compressum
transversè pluri-articulatura, suturà superiore subrectà crassinsculà, inferiore
sinuato-lobatà, articulis 1-spermis demùm secedentibus suborbienlatis.
Semina compressa reniformi-orbiculata.
Herb® (v. suffrutices) Australi-American®. Stipul® lanceolata:. Eolia
abrupte p innata; petiolo in setulam producto. Ped icu li axillares A -fio ri et
fo lio rum superiorum abortu in racemum terminalem dispositi. Decand.
prodr. 2. p. 318.
A . uspallatensis, fruticosa, spinosa ; foliolis 5-jugis ovalibus obtusis glabris,
dentibus calycinis semiovatis acutis refiexis, lomentis 2-3-articulatis,
setosis : setis plumosis.
Adesmia uspallatensis. GUI. Mss. Hook, and A rnott in bot. mise. 3. p . 192.
An upright, branched, thorny shrub, seldom exceeding a
foot in height, with round smooth branches ; the thorns,
which are abortive peduncles, are terminal, forked, with
straight simple awl-shaped divisions. Leaves rather fasciculate,
abruptly pinnate, leaflets mostly in 5 pairs, oval, obtuse,
channelled, glabrous, scarcely 2 lines long. Racemes terminal,
few-flowered. Peduncles short, capillary, slightly
pubescent. Calyx short, campanulate, slightly pubescent,
5-toothed ; teeth very short, semi-ovate, acute, ciliated, reflexed,
equal. Corolla papilionaceous, of a rich yellow
colour ; vexillum nearly orbicular, reflexed, the front of a
deep yellow, marked with dark red lines, behind of a livid
hue, the base within bearded with white down; wings semi-
cordate, nearly equal the length of the keel, with downy
claws; keel cuculiate, ventricose, with the apex truncate
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