Aspalathus marginata Harv.

An erect, rather compact and fairly densely branched shrublet usually only 0.1-0.3 m high. Young branches short-tomentose (nearly velutinous). Leaves of young long-shoots with or (the younger) without axillary short-shoots. Leaflets of long-shoot leaves broadly elliptic or ovate to narrowly rhomboid-ovate, tapering at both ends, (2-)4-9 x (1-)2.5-7 mm, flat, sometimes basally shortly petiolate, carnose or coriaceous, mucronate or spine-tipped with distinct midveins and margins and sometimes with distinct lateral veins, glabrous or with sparse hairs. Inflorescence terminal, with 2-3(-4) densely set flowers. Bract small, subulate, 0.5-2 mm long, ciliated. Pedicel 0.5-2 mm long, tomentulose. Bracteoles subulate, 0.3-1.5 mm long. Calyx tube short, densely tomentulose-velutinous; lobes subulate, 2-3 mm long, weak, puberulous. Petals bright yellow turning bright or dark red, with short claws. Standard blade ovate, 6-9 x 4-8 mm, densely short-tomentose on the back. Wing blades linear-oblong, 5.5-8.5 x 2.2-3.3 mm, hairy on lower third or half, with one or two longitudinal row of minute folds on the basal half. Keel blades 4-5.5 x 2.5-4.5 mm, totally pubescent. Pistil: ovary and basal half of style short-sericeous; ovules 2. Pods not seen.