Lotus tenuis Willd.

Scarcely stoloniferous perennial; stems ± glabrous, ± solid, procumbent to ascending, woody at base. Lvs ± glabrous or sparsely to moderately hairy, sessile; leaflets linear, linear-lanceolate to narrowly obovate, acute to acuminate, cuneate at base, (3)–5–15–(18) mm long, with inconspicuous lateral veins. Peduncles much > lvs, up to 90 mm long. Infl. (1)–2–4–(6)-flowered. Calyx ± glabrous or sparsely to moderately hairy; calyx teeth ± equal, narrowly triangular, < tube. Corolla yellow, sometimes tinged or wholly reddish orange, 9–12 mm long; keel strongly arched with a fairly long, often somewhat incurved beak. Pod straight, rounded, not winged, 15–35 × 1.5–3 mm; seeds c. 1.5 mm diam.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Mar.