Aspalathus perforata (Thunb.) R.Dahlgren

A decumbent to prostrate shrublet, ascending when young, then developing to more than 1 m long, horizontal, spreading branches. Branches terete or ± compressed, greenish to ferruginous, young branches with sparse, spreading long hairs and fresh green leaves, older ones with persistent brown-red or black, dead leaves. Leaves elliptic (-oval or even circular), 10-30(-40) x 8-25(-35) mm, subglabrous, amplexicaul (the base enclosing the stem), with closest part of leaf margin 2-5(-11) mm from the stem; lower leaf surface with prominent midvein and several main, curved veins radiating from the leaf base, diffusely to distinctly reticulate between these veins; margins and midvein with sparse hairs, each from a distinct tubercle; apex obtuse-refuse but with a recurved 'tip'. Inflorescence a racemule of 2-12 flowers on a short axis, or with a solitary flower. A lateral branch soon developing in the axil of the uppermost leaf, pushing the inflorescence aside to a pseudo-lateral position. Bract subfiliform, 0.8-4 x 0.1-0.3 mm, flexible, glabrous or with few hairs. Pedicel 1.5-2.5 mm long, glabrous. Bracteoles varying from very minute to subfiliform, up to 2(-3) mm long. Calyx tube campanulate, 2.2-3 mm long, glabrous or with a few long spreading hairs; lobes triangular to subulate, 1.2-3 mm long, acuminate, weak, ciliate with sparse long hairs. Petals light yellow or standard and keel partly violet. Standard blade circular, 3.5-5.5(-6) x 4.5-6.5(-7) mm, retuse or obtuse, silky sericeous on most of the back. Wing blades oblong or narrowly elliptic, 3.2-4.9(-6) x 1.5-2.5 mm, glabrous, with ±3 longitudinal rows of minute folds on basal half. Keel blades broadly lunate, 2.6-3.8 x 1.8-2.6 mm, glabrous, with ± straight upper margin. Pistil glabrous, with elongate ovary; ovules (2-)4-7. Pod linear-lanceolate, 16-21.5 x 4.3-5.3 mm, smooth, glabrous, rather turgid.