Common name: Mountain Leafless Bossiaea
Bossiaea bracteosa F.Muell. ex Benth. APNI* 
Description: Multistemmed shrub 0.7–2 m high, ± glabrous; main stems finally terete, branches flat, winged, 7–12 mm wide.
Leaves reduced to scales, 2.7–5 mm long.
Flowers 8.5–10 mm long; pedicels 1.5–2 mm long; bracts several, distichous, c. 2.5 mm long, persistent; bracteoles obscure, caducous. Calyx 4.5–5.5 mm long. Petals bright yellow to apricot with dark red markings on standard and wings, keel red. Ovary shortly stipitate, glabrous, (6–)8-ovuled.
Pod oblong, 2.3–3.2 cm long, stipe c. 2 mm long.
Flowering: November–December (January).
Distribution and occurrence: Restricted to the Australian Alps of north-eastern Victoria, though possibly extending across the border into NSW, so included here to aid identification. Shrubby snow gum woodland, on shallow soils
NSW subdivisions: ST
Other Australian states: Vic.
Previously considered to occur in New South Wales, but re-circumscribed so it is now considered endemic to Victoria. Populations are known from very close to the border with NSW, so it is possible it will be found in the state.
Text by R.L. Barrett, July 2024
Taxon concept: McDougall, Telopea 12(3): 350–351 (2009)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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