Scientific Name: Bossiaea riparia

Common Name: leafless bossia

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Fabaceae

Form Description: Undershrub, sometimes erect, usually trailing, base of stem stout and woody.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.6

Flowers: Pea flowers, solitary in upper axils, petals yellow and crimson.

Fruit: Seed pod – without hairs, on a small stalk, has several to many seeds, black when mature.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral HighlandsClarenceDerwent ValleyGlamorgan-Spring BayKentishLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationHeathRiparian
Habitat Notes

Widespread and occasional in a wide range of habitats, from river banks at sea level to mountains at 1000m. Occasional in dry alpine heath and tussock grassland at lower altitudes.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed drops soon after maturity. Place stocking over fruit or hand remove. Place in warm spot till open and clean using sieves.

Seed Treatment Method

Hot Water Hot water is used to soften the hard seed case of some species. This replicates the weathering process. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the seeds and allow them to soak for 4-12 hours.

Seed Storage Life

Long

Seed Treatment Notes

Hot water treatment. Seed can be tedious to collect. Nicking the seed has the best results, however it is tedious and time consuming. Soak in hot water (just off the boil) for a few hours before sowing. Seed should be dried after soaking.