Closely related to the cassias, the Butterfly bush occurs only in Australia, found growing widely in the dry inland parts of Australia. It is a spreading shrub growing to about 1-1.5 metres high. It has hairy covering which is sparse to dense.

Leaves: pinnate - the leaves have many small leaflets (23-55), which are mostly notched and sometimes hooked.

Flowers: flowers appear in clusters of 1-3, with 5 petals , spreading, a deep yellow with red marking that appear like ‘eyebrows’, taken together sometimes ‘heart shape’ in appearance, on the upper petals. The 3 stamens in the centre and the style projects like a boat-shaped petal.

Aborigines rubbed the crushed leaves on the skin to treat various ailments¹.