Citation: Miller, Gard. Dict. edn 8 (1768).

Synonymy: M. polymorpha L. var. scutellata L., Sp. Pl. 779 (1753).

Common name: Snail medic.

Description:
More or less densely glandular-pubescent annual; branches 20-60 cm long; leaflets obovate to elliptic, 15-30 x 7-20 mm, cuneate, dentate in the upper part, glabrous above; stipules ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, incise-dentate; peduncle shorter than or equal to the length of the corresponding petiole, l-3-flowered, cuspidate.

Flowers 7-9 mm long, on pedicels shorter than the calyx tube; bracts lanceolate-acuminate, c. 1.5 mm long, scarious; calyx half the length of the flower or more, with glandular or simple hairs, teeth narrow, acuminate, usually longer than the tube; petals yellow to orange-yellow; standard obovate; wings equalling the keel.

Young pod rising and coiling in the calyx, then turning sideways, densely covered with glandular hairs; mature pod with almost vertical cup-shaped coils, elliptic, 9-18 mm across and 7-15 mm high, grey to dark-grey, spineless; 5-7 coils turning clockwise, imbricate like stacked bowls with the convex surfaces towards the pod base, papery; transverse veins numerous, conspicuous freely anastomosing and joining the strong marginal vein; seeds yellow, c. 5 mm long, 1 or 2 in a coil.

Image source: fig. 350O in J.P. Jessop and H.R. Toelken Ed. 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Distribution:  S.Aust.: LE, FR, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   a Mediterranean species. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Sept. — Nov.

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

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available