Citation: F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Aust. 8:49 (1873).

Synonymy: N. hexarrhena sensu Diels & E. Pritzel, Bot. Jb. 35:505 (1904), partly, non F. Muell. (1876); N. elliptica Munir, Brunonia 1:609, fig. 39 (1978).

Common name: None

Description:
Spreading shrub 30-90 cm high; stem erect, branched, densely fulvescent-tomentose; leaves sessile, decussate, oblong-lanceolate, with recurved margins, 1525 mm long, 3-7 mm broad, with a very dense fulvescent-grey tomentum.

Inflorescence terminal, spicate; spikes cylindrical, slender, stalked, with a purplish-grey tomentum, 4-8 cm long, 0.5-0.7 cm diam.; bracts petiolate, blade ovate-cordate; flowers 5- or 6-merous, sessile, 3.5-4.5 mm long, compactly arranged in spikes; calyx glandular and woolly-tomentose outside, glabrous inside, 5- or 6-lobed, tubular, 1.8-2.2 mm long; corolla purple-violet, glabrous outside, villous-tomentose inside the tube, 5- or 6-lobed, tubular; lobes narrow-linear, acuminate; tube campanulate; stamens 5 or 6, exserted, inserted at the rim of the corolla tube; filaments glabrous, filiform; anthers more or less orbicular, a yellowish brown; ovary globose, glabrous, glandular at the top; style exserted, glabrous, filiform, 3-4 mm long, stigma entire or minutely notched.

	Flowering branch. bract, flower and opened flower.
Image source: fig. 550A in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Munir (1978) Brunonia 1:597, fig. 36 & 611, fig. 39 as N. elliptica.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW.   W.Aust.; N.T. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Mainly Aug. — Dec.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: This species has often been mistaken tor its nearest ally N. hexarrhena F. Muell. which differs in its leaves being 3-7 cm long, 0.8-1.8 cm broad; spikes quite thick, very woolly, up to 13 cm long, 1-1.5 cm diam.; ovary tomentose all over, with concealed glands at the top. A wider range of material shows that the difference between N. bracteosa and N. elliptica cannot be maintained as it seems to be due to age and seasonal growth.

Author: Not yet available