Scientific Name: Phyllota diffusa Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region
Common Name: heath bushpea
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Fabaceae
Form Description: Small shrub, ascending and much-branched.
Height (m): 0.1 – 0.3
Flowers: Numerous pea flowers, wings yellow, keel red/yellow, above claw sometimes streaked green.
Fruit: Seed pod – egg-shaped, 4-6mm long containing one or, rarely, two seeds.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Local in sandy heaths near the east coast and in the north-west.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Exposed, Moist, Windy
Soil Tolerance
Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained
General Notes
Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Propagation Calendar
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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 Information
Seed Collection
Pods can be harvested close to maturity and dried in a warm area. Leaving pods on the branch aids opening. Some pods may need to be crushed.
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
Nicking the seed provides the best results but hot treatment is the most commonly used. Soak in hot water (just off the boil) for a few hours. Dry seed before sowing. Use of capillary watering will reduce the likelihood of seeds rotting.