{{Short description|Species of legume}} {{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Speciesbox |image = |image_caption = |status_system = DECF |status = P2 |genus = Bossiaea |species = laxa |authority = J.H.Ross<ref name=APC>{{cite web|title=''Bossiaea laxa''|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/201552|publisher=Australian Plant Census|access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref> |range_map = |range_map_caption = }}
'''''Bossiaea laxa''''' is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to a small area near Norseman in Western Australia. It is a spreading, openly-branched shrub with linear to narrow oblong leaves, and bright yellow and red flowers.
==Description== ''Bossiaea laxa'' is a spreading, openly-branched shrub that typically grows up to a height of up to {{cvt|2|m}} and has branchlets that are flattened to oval in cross-section. The leaves are linear to narrow oblong, {{cvt|10–32|mm}} long and {{cvt|0.7–2.5|mm}} wide on a petiole {{cvt|0.6–2.0|mm}} long with triangular stipules {{cvt|1.0–1.5|mm}} long at the base. The flowers are arranged singly or in small groups, each flower on a thread-like pedicel {{cvt|7–20|mm}} long. There is only a single bracts up to {{cvt|1|mm}} long but that falls off at the bud stage. The five sepals are joined at the base forming a tube {{cvt|4.6–5.5|mm}} long with lobes {{cvt|1–2|mm}} long, with oblong bracteoles {{cvt|1.5–2.4|mm}} long on the pedicel. The standard petal is bright yellow with a faint red base and {{cvt|12–16|mm}} long, the wings {{cvt|9.5–13.5|mm}} long, and the keel is pale greenish-yellow and {{cvt|10.1–14.5|mm}} long. Flowering has been observed in May.<ref name=FloraBase>{{FloraBase|name=''Bossiaea laxa''|id=30233}}</ref><ref name="Muelleria">{{cite journal |last1=Ross |first1=James H. |title=A conspectus of the Western Australian ''Bossiaea'' species (Bossiaeeae: Fabaceae). Muelleria 23: |journal=Muelleria |date=2006 |volume=11 |pages=67–69 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/278250#page/69/mode/1up |access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref>
==Taxonomy and naming== ''Bossiaea laxa'' was first formally described in 2006 by James Henderson Ross in the journal ''Muelleria'' from specimens collected in the Cave Hill Reserve north-west of Norseman in 2003.<ref name="Muelleria" /><ref name=APNI>{{cite web|title=''Bossiaea laxa''|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/608725 |publisher=APNI|access-date=3 August 2021}}</ref> The specific epithet (''laxa'') means "loose" or "open" referring to the species' growth form.<ref name="Muelleria" />
==Distribution and habitat== This bossiaea is only known from the Cave Hill Reserve in the Coolgardie biogeographic region where it grows in woodland.<ref name="FloraBase" /><ref name="Muelleria" />
==Conservation status== ''Bossiaea laxa'' is classified as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife,<ref name="FloraBase" /> meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.<ref name=codes>{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=3 August 2021}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q51043420}}
laxa Category:Flora of Western Australia Category:Plants described in 2006