R.S. Cowan & B.R. Maslin, Acacia Miscellany — 3 
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Habitat. Usually along salt creeks and rivers, as well as at margin of salt pans and salt lakes, often 
on small rises above HolosarciajArihrocnemum zone, on soils of fine or coarse sands to clay and 
loam. (Much of the habitat information is based on Gill Craig’s study of salt-tolerant plants and we 
are indeed grateful for this use of her data.) 
Flowering and fruiting periods. Flowering in July-Scplcmbcr; fruiting November to January. 
Affinities. The new species resembles A. multilineata especially and to a lesser extent A. unguicula 
but it is very distinct from both by virtue of its tclramerous flowers and by features of the phyllode 
nervature: the main nerves (when they arc identifiable as such) are continuous from base to apex, 
yellowish and broader than the irregularly parallel venules; and the marginal nerves are strongly 
developed and yellow. In addition, the phyllodcs are subglaucous to strongly glaucous and lack 
obvious stomata. Acacia mimica is also a close relative but it has 5-mcrous Cowers, uniformly 
distinct nerves in the phyllodes, sessile flower heads and mottled seeds. 
Conservation status. 3C, using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). 
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the yellow border of the phyllodes (a patagium was the 
golden border around the hem of the robe of Roman ladies, hence, patagiatus or bordered). 
5. Acacia torticarpa C. Gardner ex Cowan & Maslin, sp. nov. (Figure 1) 
Arbuscula (?). Ramuli villoso-tomentosi, valde sulcati. Stipulae persistentes, 
caudato-subulatae, 3-4 mm longac, tomentosae. Phyllodia angusie linearia, oblanceolato-linearia 
vel elliptico-linearia, obtuso-mucronulata, pulvino 1 mm longo, tomentoso, lamina 37-55 mm 
longa, 2-3.5 mm lata, incurvata, villoso-tomcntosa, nervis principalibus 3 vel 4 in quoque 
superficic, valde salientibus, nervis sccondariis 3 vc! 4, fere quam salientibus. Pedunculi 
deficientes vel perbreves, 2 in quoque axilla. Capitulae involucratae, pedunculari bractea basali 
ovata usque ad elliptica, globulares, circa 5 mm diametro, 17- vel 18-floribus; bracteolae plus 
minusve spathulatae, laminis ellipticis vel ovatis. Flores 5-mcri. Sepala pctalaque 1/2-2/3-connata, 
puberula ciliolataque, sepala petalis dimidia breviora. Legurnina flcxuoso-linearia, plus minusve 20 
mm longa, 2 mm lata, villoso-tomentosa. Semina longitudinalia, ovalia vel elliptica, 1.5-2 mm 
longa, 1.2 mm lata; pleurogramma parva, arco-formata, arillo apicali, clongato. 
Typus: Yorkrakine, Western Australia, 19 July 1946, C.A. Gardner 8043 (holo: PERTH; iso: AD, 
BM, BRI, CANB, G, K, MEL, NSW, NY, PERTH, W, Z). 
Shrubs (?). Branchlels villose-tomentose, strongly sulcate. New growth pale golden at tips, 
becoming grey. Stipules persistent, caudate-subulate, 3-4 mm long, tomentose. Phyllodes narrowly 
linear to oblanceolate-linear or elliptic-linear, acute, mucronate, often bluntly mucronulate later by 
loss of mucro apex, mucro brown, straight, hard, ± coarsely pungent, base attenuate, blades 37-55 
mm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, coriaceous, patent to inclined, slightly to moderately incurved, 
villose-tomentose at first, somewhat glabrescenl; 3 or 4 main nerves per face strongly salient, 3 or 4 
secondary nerves nearly as raised, inlcr-ncrve spaces much wider than nerves, stomata not evident. 
Gland one, slightly raised, situated on upper margin of phyllode 1-3.5 mm above the very short (1 
mm) pulvinus. Peduncles absent or very short, 2 per axil, tomentose; basal peduncular bract 
narrowly ovate, acute, puberulous, cilialc, this and 4 bract-like bracteolcs encircling base of head. 
Flower-heads globular, ± 5 mm diam., 17- or 18-flowered. Bracteoles ± spathulate, the blade 
elliptic to ovate, acute, puberulous, ciliate, exserted in bud. Flowers 5-merous. Sepals half as long 
as petals, both sepals and petals 1/2-2/3-uniled, puberulous, ciliolate. Ovary densely villose, 
principally on margins, hairs directed antrorscly. Legumes flexuose-lincar, c. 20 mm long, 2 mm 
wide, coriaceous, villose-tomentose. Seeds longitudinal in the legumes, oval to elliptic, 1.5-2 mm 
long, 1.2 mm wide, glossy tan, compressed; plcurogram a small arc, c. 0.5 mm long and wide; 
areolc in shallow depression, pale brown; aril apical, extending down one side more than half seed 
length. 
