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towards the hilum, 2-2.5 mm long, c. 0.8 mm wide, funic le filiform c. 1 mm long, expanded into a 
thick terminal yellow-brown (when dry) aril c. 2 mm long. 
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Darkin Swamp, J.S. Beard 8 1 30 (PERTH), 
RJ. Edmiston 2 (PERTH) and B.R. Maslin 6331 (PERTH); between Beverley and Brookton, 
B.R. Maslin 6342 (AD, BRI, CANB, CBG, G, K, MEL, MO, NSW, NY, PERTH, Z) 
Distribution. South-west Western Australia on the border of the Darling and Avon Botanical 
Districts (1:250,000 map 150-2). Known only from two populations between Brookton and the 
headwaters of the Darkin River. 
Habitat. Low-lying seasonal swampy areas on sandy clay or loam in Open Scrub (Darkin Swamp), 
or low sandy loam rises in Open Woodland adjacent to slightly saline flats (near Brookton). 
Flowering and fruiting period. Flowering commences in late May near Brookton but about a month 
later at Darkin Swamp. Because of the paucity of collections it is not known when flowering ends. 
Neither is it known when seed first matures, however, some legumes (a few with seeds remaining) 
can be found on the plants during at least May and June. Judging from the large quantity of 
dehisced legume valves on the ground under the plants, this species has a high fecundity. 
Affinities. The new species is readily distinguished from other members of the "A. wilhelmiana 
group" by its very short peduncles and few-flowered heads. Other characters useful in recognizing 
A. brachypoda include the following: branchlet nerves broad and Hat, phyllodes (obscurely) 
4-nerved, pulvinus narrower than the width of phyllode, calyx turbinate and very shortly dissected, 
petals rather prominently 1 -nerved, legumes broad. 
Conservation status. 2V using the criteria of Briggs & Leigh (1988). 
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the characteristic short peduncles. 
Acacia cowaniana Maslin, sp. nov. 
Frutices vel arbores ad 5(8) m alta, ramulis glabris vel subglabris. Phyllodia linearia, attenuata 
versus basem, uncinata ad subuncinata et cxcentrice rostcllata, (2)3-5 cm longa, 1-2.5 mm lata, 1: w 
= 10-46, patens ad inclinata, leviter incurvata, plana nervis aliquibus apprcsso-puberula vel laminis 
omnino glabris, viridia, in quoque supcrficic obscure 3-7 nervata, glande basali. Racemi 2-3 mm 
longi, pcdunculis (1)2 in quoque axilla 5-7 mm longis, sparse ad parce appresso-puberulis; capitula 
globularia, crernea ad diluto-cilrina, 20-floribus. Flores pentameri; calycc gamosepalo. Legumina 
linearia, ad 8 cm longa, 4.5-6 mm lata, firme chartacea, leviter undulata, villosa vel pubcrula, 
maturitate pilis decrescentibus. Semina longitudinalia, oblongo-clliplica ad oblongo-ovata, c. 3.5 
mm longa, interdum ad 5 mm longa, arillo clavato. 
Typus. Mount Caroline (eastern slopes), 21 km due SSW of Kcllcrbcrrin, Western Australia, 10 
April 1986, B.R. Maslin 6015 (holo: PERTH; iso: CANB, K, NY). 
Shrubs or small trees to 5 m tall, occasionally to 8 m, dividing at or near ground level into a few 
main trunks. Bark grey, fibrous and longitudinally fissured on main trunks (at least at their bases), 
smooth and grey-red or reddish brown on upper branches. Branchlets terete, angled at extremities, 
obscurely ribbed, glabrous or sparsely antrorsely puberulous, hairs white or golden and mainly 
confined to the ribs, ribs commonly Hanked by an irregular, slightly raised line of yellowish 
sub-epidermal material (? resin) which is ± continuous at first but breaking into irregular tubercles 
with age. Stipules caducous, inconspicuous, triangular, c. 0.3 mm long. Phyllodes narrowly linear, 
narrowed at base, (2)3-5 cm long, 1-2.5 mm wide, l:w = 10-46, Hat, patent to inclined, mostly 
shallowly incurved, a few straight or shallowly sigmoid, resinous, glabrous or sparsely 
appressed-puberulous, hairs white or golden and confined to some nerves, green; obscurely 
