Botanical art
Prior names
Adenanthos terminalis var. plumosus
Adenanthos terminalis beta plumosa
Common names
Yellow Gland-flower
Etymology
Adenanthos from the Greek 'aden' meaning a gland and 'anthos' meaning a flower; referring to the prominent nectaries at the base of the ovary. Terminalis from the Latin 'terminus' meaning end, referring to the occurrence of the flowers at the ends of branches.
Distribution and status
Found on the Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, southern Mount Lofty Ranges and the upper South-east in south Australia, growing on sandy sometimes lateritic soils in sclerophyllous shrubland, woodland and forest. Also found in Victoria. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in Victoria.
Herbarium regions: Eyre Peninsula, Murray, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Erect or spreading shrub to 1.5 m high with branches covered in hairs that lie close along the stem. Leaves compound with 3-7 terete segments, to 20 mm long, densely clustered at ends of branchlets, bright green, glabrous or glabrescent with a few hairs at base. Inflorescences with solitary or up to 3 pale yellow to almost white flowers in clusters at branch-tips, closely surrounded by and partly hidden by leaves. Flowers throughout the year. Fruits are green cylindrical capsule surrounded by leaves. Seeds are greenish brown, ovoid to 6.5 mm long and 3 mm wide covered in scattered hairs. Seed embryo type is investing.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between January and December. Collect capsules that are large and fat. Capsules are difficult to find as it is hidden among the leaves. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for 1 to 2 weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand 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. Seed viability is usually low and seed availability can also be very low and difficult to find. This species has morphophysiological dormancy and can be difficult to germinate.