Etymology
Swainsona named after Isaac Swainson (1746-1812, an English scientist and horticulturalist who had a private botanic garden near London. Leeana named in honour of Mrs Alma Lee for her contribution to knowledge of this genus.
Distribution and status
Found in the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia in dry stony soil or clay-loam in tussock grassland, saltbush and mulga woodland. Also found in Western Australia. Native. Rare in South Australia. Common in Western Australia.
Herbarium regions: Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges
NRM region: South Australian Arid Lands
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
A small prostrate annual or perennial to 10cm high with numerous hairy stems arising from a taproot. Leaves 1-3cm long with 5-7 hairy, obovate or elliptic leaflets. Flowers purple or yellow. Fruits are small hairy papery pod 8-10mm long. Seeds are brown, semi-flat reniform seeds to 1.5mm long with a wrinkled surface. Seed embryo type is bent.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between September and November. Collect mature pods those turning reddish brown and contain hard seeds. Mature pods can be found lying on the ground next to the plant. Place the pods in a tray and leave to dry for a week. Use a rubber bung to rub the pods or break the pods open with your fingers to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. From three collections, the seed viability were high, ranging from 85% to 100%. This species has physical dormancy that need to be overcome for the seed to germinate (e.g. nicking or softening the seed coat).
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA MSB | 3,500 (6.22 g) 3,500 (6.22 g) | 50+ | 11-Oct-2010 | TST1070 Flinders Ranges | 1-Jan-2012 | 95% | -18°C |
BGA | 4,800 (7.18 g) | 100+ | 17-Jun-2010 | KHB433 Flinders Ranges | 1-Jan-2012 | 85% | -18°C |
BGA | 1,100 (1.97 g) | 10 | 11-Oct-2010 | DJD1973 Flinders Ranges | 1-Jan-2012 | 100% | -18°C |