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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Platylobium obtusangulum
Common Name: common flatpea
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Fabaceae
Form Description: Slender shrub, spreading or erect.
Height (m): 0.3 – 1
Flowers: Pea flower on short stalks almost hidden by bracts. Large kidney-shaped standard yellow and red.
Fruit: Seed pod – oblong (20mm long, 12mm wide), flat and almost stalkless.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Widespread but local in dry soil.
Site Tolerance
Dry
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained
General Notes
Hardy in most soils and aspects provided they are kept reasonably dry. Interesting triangular leaves.
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 appears to aid 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.