Citation: J. Black, Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 43:351 (1919).

Synonymy: Indigofera acanthocarpa Lindley in T.L. Mitchell, Three Exped. Int. eastern Aust. 2:17 (1838); Clidanthera psoraleoides R. Br. in Sturt, Exped. Centr. Aust., Bot. App. 11 (1849); G. psoraleoides (R. Br.)Benth., Fl. Aust. 2:225 (1864). , Psoralea acanthocarpa

Common name: Native liquorice, southern liquorice.

Description:
Erect rather sticky undershrub, branches 0.5-1 m long, almost glabrous; with strong roots; leaf rhachis 2-6 cm long; leaflets usually 9-13, linear to oblong-lanceolate or obovate, 15-20 x 2-8 mm, shortly mucronate, ciliolate with curved hairs, both surfaces glandular-punctate; stipules narrow-triangular, 3-5 mm long, brown, leathery, caducous.

Spikelike racemes exceeding the supporting leaves, the lower part of the peduncle naked, flowers numerous distally; flowers 5-8 mm long, on very short pedicels; bracts filiform, 3-4 mm long, caducous; calyx campanulate, 2.5-4 mm long, glabrous, gland-dotted, teeth narrow-triangular, equalling the tube, the upper 2 united higher up; petals lilac; standard lanceolate, 2-3 mm wide, nearly sessile; wings shorter, clasping the keel, linear-oblong, obtuse, blade small, on a long claw; keel shortest, linear-oblong, acute, blade small, claw long; ovary 2-ovulate.

Pod sessile, ovoid-compressed, 5-6 mm long, covered with hard straight or hooked prickles, not dehiscent or if so then quite late, rusty-coloured, 1-seeded; seed reniform, c. 3 mm long, olive-green, mottled black, nearly filling the cavity.

Image source: fig. 325A in J.P. Jessop and H.R. Toelken Ed. 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 395.

Distribution:  especially on heavy soils prone to flooding. S.Aust.: LE, GT, EA, NL, MU, SE.   all mainland States;. Conservation status: native Flowering time: summer.

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

Biology: The pods attach to the fleeces of sheep and reduce the value of their wool. It is not regarded as being very palatable to stock.

Author: Not yet available