Linaria genistifolia (L.) Mill.

Glabrous, much-branched, perennial herb with stout root; stems erect or suberect, to c. 1.2 m tall. Lvs glaucous; lvs on vegetative and lower part of flowering shoots, excluding basal lvs, 1.5–4.5 × 0.75–2 cm, lanceolate to broad-ovate, ± amplexicaul; apex sharply acute. Lvs on upper part of flowering shoots lanceolate, < 1 cm wide, becoming smaller. Fls many in rather lax racemes. Pedicels 1–4 mm long; bracts ovate, > pedicels. Calyx 5–10 mm long, lobed almost to base; lobes lanceolate, acuminate. Corolla c. 30 mm long when fresh (including finely tapering spur c. 12 mm long), yellow except for glandular, bearded, orange pouch; upper lip c. 15 mm long. Capsule 4–6 mm diam., globose. Seeds 1–1.5 mm long, irregularly shaped, sharply 3-angled, wingless, black, finely rugose.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Mar.