Description: Shrubs.
Leaves alternate or scattered, simple, margins revolute; stipules absent or minute.
Flowers solitary or crowded near ends of branches, sometimes terminal; bracts small or absent; bracteoles persistent, often leaf-like, inserted below base of calyx. Calyx with 2 upper teeth broader than lower and sometimes united into an upper lip. Petals clawed; standard ± circular; wings oblong; keel much incurved. Stamens not united into a tube, but mostly fused to base of petals. Ovary sessile, pubescent; ovules 2 on short funicles; style dilated or thickened at base, incurved and subulate above, stigma small and terminal.
Pod ovoid, ± turgid; seeds 1 or 2, reniform, aril not present.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 10 species, endemic Australia. Australia: Qld, N.S.W., Vic., S.A., W.A.
Text by B. Wiecek
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Prostrate, decumbent or procumbent shrubs to 0.75 m high; flowers solitary or few together in lax, leafy spikes | 2 |
| Erect shrubs to more than 1 m high; flowers in dense spikes at or towards the end of branches | 3 |
| 2 | Leaves 3–10 mm long, 0.5–0.75 mm wide, apex obtuse to acute with a small straight or more or less recurved point; bracteoles linear, 3–4 mm long | Phyllota humifusa |
| Leaves 6–14 mm long, 0.75–1.25 mm wide, apex acuminate with a distinct yellowish, recurved mucro; bracteoles lanceolate, 5–13 mm long
Back to 1 | Phyllota squarrosa |
| 3 | Leaves 1.0–2.25 mm wide; flowers 12–15 mm long; calyx densely villous | Phyllota grandiflora |
| Leaves 0.75–1.25 mm wide; flowers to 5–11.5 mm long; calyx glabrous or pubescent
Back to 1 | Phyllota phylicoides |
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