Stunning in flower

Open shrub to 4 metres with glossy dark green leaves covered in fine rusty brown coloured hairs. Found on rainforest margins or other damp or sheltered sites. Leaves are green on top, golden brown underneath. Bears masses of purple pea-flowers in winter to spring which attract bees. Pods pop audibly when ready to expel seeds. Young pods may be edible. Caution is advised. A pretty plant which is stunning in flower during its season. Good populations exist on dry hillsides in D’Aguilar National Park. Although ephemeral, copes well in dry conditions.

Photo: Robert Whyte

The characteristic pea flower (the shield and the codpiece) gives this species its common name. It is in a pea family Fabaceae. Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Inflated hairy seed pod 15 mm long. Produces seed pods primarily during the January-February period, although it may produce fruit throughout the year. The pods ripen from green to black and are known to “pop” when the seeds are ready to be released. Bag fruit from the bush before the seeds pop. Scarify or boil the seeds for 1 minute and then refresh in iced water. Germinates in 1 to 2 weeks.