Description :

• Single-stemmed or multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees
• Leaves simple, flat, obovate to ± orbicular, petiolate, densely tomentose on both surfaces, coriaceous; stipules paired
• Flowers 2-4(-6), decussate, in axillary, pedunculate inflorescences; bracts sheathing pedicel, sometimes clasping calyx, densely tomentose; bracteoles 0
• Calyx with base intrusive; upper 2 lobes fused higher up; lateral lobes often coherent with upper lobes or carinal lobe
• Corolla yellow, longer than calyx, glabrous; standard transversely elliptic, apex emarginate, claw thick, rigid; wing petals oblong to obovate, slightly longer than keel, tips imbricate; keel petals semicircular, rostrate, auriculate, apex obtuse
• Stamens diadelphous, free almost to the base; anthers slightly dimorphic, 5 + 5, alternately dorsifixed and subbasifixed
• Ovary 5- or more-ovuled; style slender, slightly upcurved, densely hairy at least on lower half
• Pod coriaceous, linear to obliquely-oblong, compressed to somewhat inflated, 5-8-seeded, densely sericeous to tomentose
• Seeds elliptic to obovate in side view, dark green to black or orange-brown to reddish brown

Nomenclature:

• Stirtonanthus B.-E.van Wyk & A.L.Schutte
  • Van Wyk & Schutte: 67 (1995)
• Stirtonia B.-E.van Wyk & A.L.Schutte
  • Van Wyk & Schutte: 319 (1994)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa : Species 3, Western Cape: mainly in Montagu, Ladismith, Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn Districts