Scientific Name: Lotus australis

Common Name: australian trefoil

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Fabaceae

Threatened Species Status: Rare

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Perennial, sometimes shrubby at base, erect or ascending.

Height (m): 0.3 – 0.6

Flowers: Pea, petals white to purple-red, often creamy pink, keel shorter, darker, usually 3-8 together.

Fruit: Seed pod – straight, 3-5 cm long, brown when mature, contains up to 15 dark brown, hard seeds. Valves twist spirally at maturity.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieClarenceDerwent ValleyDorsetFlindersGeorge TownMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Local on sandy coasts. Resistant to salt spray.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

General Notes

Often short-lived in cultivation, 3-4 years being the normal life span.

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

Collect by hand and store in a warm place until pods open to release seed.

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 Treatment Notes

Soak in hot water and allow to cool. Nicking the seed will also produce good results but this is tedious. Needs full sun and reasonable drainage.