Gastrolobium
(from gaster, the belly, and lobos, a pod; in reference to the pods being inflated). ORD. Leguminosae. A genus, containing thirty-two species of greenhouse evergreens, limited to Western Australia. It is closely allied, on the one hand, to the strophiolate species of Oxylobium, only differing from them in the number of ovules, constantly two; and, on the other, to Pultenaea, from which it is distinguished by the habit, the coriaceous leaves, the bracteoles either deciduous or inconspicuous, and the more coriaceous turgid pod. Flowers yellow, or the keel and base of the standard purple-red, in terminal or axillary racemes, either loose or contracted into corymbs or whorl-like clusters; bracts and bracteoles usually very deciduous. Leaves on very short petioles, more or less distinctly verticillate or opposite, simple and entire, usually rigid; stipules setaceous, rarely wanting. For culture, see Pultenaea.
G. bilobum (two-lobed).* fl. numerous, in very short, almost umbel-like terminal racemes. March to May. l. mostly verticillate, in threes or fours, from obovate to narrow-oblong, thinly coriaceous, glabrous and veined above, pale and often minutely silky pubescent underneath. 1839. A tall shrub. (B. M. 2212; B. R. 411; L. B. C. 70.) G. calycinum (large-calyxed).* fl., racemes terminal or in the upper axils; bracts larger and more membranous than in any other species. l. opposite or in threes, oblong-elliptical, or more frequently from ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, with a pungent point, coriaceous, rigid, reticulate, and often glaucous. An erect shrub.
G. emarginatum (emarginate). A synonym of G. velutinum. G. trilobum (three-lobed). fl. few, in loose axillary racemes, not usually exceeding the leaves. l. rhomboidal or three-lobed, sometimes lanceolate, sometimes very broad and short, very coriaceous, often glaucous, the fine reticulations scarcely prominent. A much-branched, quite glabrous species. G. velutinum (velvety). fl. orange-red, in terminal, rather dense racemes; bracts ovate, very deciduous. April. l. verticillate in threes or fours, from obovate or obcordate to linear-cuneate, very obtuse or truncate, emarginate; margins recurved, coriaceous, reticulate, glabrous above, usually pubescent underneath. Branches rather stout, angular, minutely silky pubescent. An elegant species. SYN. G. emarginatum.