About Dillwynia retorta (J.C.Wendl.) Druce
Dillwynia retorta is a small, upright shrub that grows up to 3 metres (9.8 feet) in height. Its stems are covered in short, erect, soft hairs, or alternatively soft, weak, thin, spaced apart hairs. The leaves are narrowly oblong to linear, measuring around 4–12 mm (0.16–0.47 in) long. They are spirally twisted, needle-like, smooth or minutely warty, taper at the apex, and are sometimes curved. Its inflorescences form terminal clusters in leaf axils, holding up to 9 flowers on a peduncle 0–2 cm (0.00–0.79 in) long. Most bracts are located below the flowers, and measure 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The calyx is 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long, and is either smooth on the outside or often covered in tiny hairs. The larger, broader yellow petal that sits at the back of the flower is 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) long, with a reddish-coloured centre. The smooth seed pod is 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long. Flowering of Dillwynia retorta occurs between June and November. This species grows in heath and forest habitats, ranging from south-east Queensland to the Budawang Range in southern New South Wales. It acts as a host plant for the jewel beetle species Ethonion jessicae.
