Description: Shrubs, erect to prostrate; stems pubescent with laterally attached, ± 2-branched hairs, or glabrescent.
Leaves opposite, irregularly opposite or whorled, simple, margins entire or ± crenulate; upper surface reticulate, margins flat or recurved; stipules rigid, recurved or spreading.
Inflorescences terminal or axillary racemes; clusters or corymbs; bracts 3-lobed, often caducous; bracteoles often caducous. Calyx 5-toothed, teeth ± equal, the upper two broader and united higher up. Petals clawed, standard ± circular, emarginate, longer than wings and keel; wings oblong or obovate; keel straight or slightly curved, broad and obtuse. Stamens free; anthers uniform. Ovary stipitate; ovules usually 4–6 or 8; style filiform or thickened towards base; stigma small, terminal.
Pods ovoid or oblong, valves leathery; seeds without an aril.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 5 spp., endemic Aust., W.A., Qld, N.S.W., Vic.
Molecular systematic work has shown that three species previously included in Podolobium (P. scandens, P. procumbens and P. alpestre ) are more closely related to Callistachys, a genus previously considered endemic to W.A., but here expanded to include these three eastern Australian species.
Text by B. Wiecek, updated by R.L.Barrett, Aug. 2021
Taxon concept:
Taxa not yet included in identification key
Callistachys alpestris,
Callistachys procumbens,
Callistachys scandens
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