Aspalathus varians Eckl. & Zeyh.

A decumbent to ascending, moderately (and mainly basally) branched shrub, 0.15-0.6 m tall; branches rather thick and rigid, densely white-woolly. Leaflets below the floriferous parts of the branches often rather small: linear, 1-3.5 mm long, straight, glabrous to sparsely patent-pubescent, angular or slightly flattened, often with distinct midrib, obtuse to subacute, ± shiny; leaflets on the floriferous parts of the branches longer, up to 5 mm long and 1 mm broad, ciliate on the margins, with prominent midrib, shiny. Flowers distributed on (20-)40-200(-250) mm of the branch ends. Bract leaf-like, 3.5-6 x 0.4-0.7 mm, ± flattened, acuminate, with densely ciliate margins, otherwise glabrous or with sparse, spreading hairs, with light, distinct midrib. Pedicel very short. Bracteoles similar to the bract, 3.5-5.5 x 0.4-0.7 mm. Calyx densely white-sericeous or woolly; lobes 3.5-7 mm long, 0.5-1 mm broad, tapering, acuminate, recurved, often minutely tuberculate, densely ciliate on the margins, subglabrous on outside. Petals yellow, turning brownish, densely white-sericeous-woolly on part of outside/back. Standard ovate, 6.5-8 x 4-5.5 mm, pubescent on the back. Wing blades linear, 5-6 x 1.5-2.1 mm, pubescent on lower-apical parts; basal-upper parts with 1-2 rows of dense transverse folds; wings attached to the keel pouches. Keel blades 3.5-4.2 x 1.8-2.3 mm, pubescent on lower-apical parts, upper side ± convex. Pistil with ovary woolly or subglabrous but style base always pubescent. Ripe pods not seen.