Wilson, Indigofera adenotricha (Fabaceae) 
355 
Notes: despite the presence of stalked glands, this species does not appear to be very 
closely related to I. colutea ; members of the group of species close to 1. colutea have red 
flowers and narrow pods usually only up to 2 mm diam. (rarely to 2.5 mm). This 
species is somewhat similar to I. scabrida, a glandular-haired species described from 
the province of Yunnan, China, but differs from that species in having pink to purple 
(rather than red) flowers, fewer leaflets and glandular (rather than glabrescent) pods. 
The plant is also notable for having rather long terminal leaflets, up to twice the length 
of the laterals. In this latter feature, it resembles another Northern Territory species, 
I. verruculosa, which also has pink to purple flowers; this species also has wart-like 
glands on its pods, stems and leaves, but these are sessile and non-viscid. 
The epithet is derived from the Greek aden, adenos, gland, and thrix, trichos, hair, in 
reference to the stalked glands of this species. 
Distribution and habitat: restricted to the Northern Territory (western part of 
Arnhem Land) where it is recorded from sandstone outcrops. 
Conservation status: apparently uncommon, but conserved within Kakadu National 
Park. Staff from the Northern Territory herbarium, Darwin, searched for it in 
April/May 1999, but failed to find it and have suggested (C. Dunlop pers. comm.) that 
it may only appear after disturbance or fire. 
Other specimens examined: Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf: c. 5 km S of Cahills Crossing, East 
Alligator River, Thompson 295, 25 Apr 1983 (CANB); on Bowerbird Track, near Magela Creek, 
Brennan 1570, 5 Aug 1991 (DNA). 
Acknowledgments 
I am indebted to Brian Schrire who very kindly confirmed the distinctness of this 
species, drew my attention to significant morphological features and suggested 
possible affinities. Thanks also to Clyde Dunlop and Ian Cowie for assistance in 
attempting to relocate this species and to Lesley Elkan for the excellent illustration. 
References 
Brennan, K. (1996) An Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Alligator Rivers Region, 
Northern Territory, Australia. Supervising Scientist Report 109. 
Schrire, B.D. (1995) Evolution of the tribe Indigofereae (Leguminosae Papilionoideae). Pp. 161-^44 
in Crisp, M.D. & Doyle, J.J. (eds), Advances in Legume Systematics 7: Phylogeny. (Royal Botanic 
Gardens: Kew). 
Manuscript received 30 October 2000 
Manuscript accepted 15 March 2001 
