Citation: G. Bentham, Hook. Lond. J. Bot. 1:360 (1842).

Derivation: erinaceus (L.)—prickly, of the nature of a hedgehog.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Small, rigid, spreading, intricate shrubs 0.5-2 m high; branchlets spine-tipped, whitish slightly angular-striate, glabrous, becoming grey-brown, young growth reddish.

Phyllodes narrow to broadly obliquely lanceolate, 5-12 mm long, 2-4 mm broad, flat, thick, rigid, erect or spreading, grey-green or often with a whitish scurfy covering, young phyllodes reddish-brown, 1-veined, apex with a small straight or curved mucro; glands small situated on the upper margin below the centre of the phyllode.

Inflorescences simple and axillary, solitary; flower-heads globular mid-yellow, 15-20-flowered; peduncles filiform, glabrous reddish-brown, 5-12 mm long; flowers 5-merous.

Legumes oblong, 1.5-3 cm long, c. 1 cm broad, flattish obtuse but shortly pointed. Seeds oblique in legume; funicle with 2 or 3 folds and tapering gradually into a small fleshy aril.

Distribution:  A minor occurrence in the south-west corner of the Nullarbor region is an extension of the main occurrence of this species from W.Aust. In open scrub vegetation, associated with Eucalyptus socialis. Soils; shallow calcareous loamy. Rainfall c. 200 mm. S.Aust.: NU. Flowering time: September — October.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Related taxa: Somewhat allied to A. merrallii (sp. 26) which differs in having broader phyllodes and branches never ending in a spine.

Cultivation: Suitable for low rainfall areas as a ground cover and rock garden ornamental. The young growth which appears before it has finished flowering is a conspicuous reddish-brown and is quite attractive. Moderate to fast growth rate.

Author: Not yet available

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