Bossiaea riparia

Botanical Name: Bossiaea riparia
Common Name: river leafless bossia
Family: Fabaceae

Size: 0.5-1.5 m H, 0.5-1.5 m W
Leaves: Have not developed and are replaced by minute brown scales arranged alternately, particularly along mature, lateral stems. (Stems are much flattened, winged branchlets up to 3mm wide).
Flowers: Appear as solitary pea-shape flowers on short pedicels (stems) growing from the upper axils. Golden, with crimson back and dark red keel
Flowering Time: Spring
Fruit: Glabrous (smooth, hairless) pod, 18mm long, 5mm wide.

Habitat/distribution:Widespread in diverse habitats from river banks at sea-level to mountains at 1000m altitude. Tas, Vic and NSW
Where to See: Central highlands, in tall eucalyptus open forests, Derwent valley
Other notes: Is an understorey plant, usually procumbent although sometimes erect. The scales perform the photosynthesis function of the plant