Scientific Name: Pultenaea mollis
Common Name: soft bushpea
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Fabaceae
Threatened Species Status: Vulnerable
Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.
Form Description: Small-leaved shrub almost prostrate or erect.
Height (m): 1 – 2
Flowers: Orange-yellow pea flower with darker keel, in dense heads at ends of short lateral branches.
Fruit: Seed pod – oval, downy, turns from green to red-brown. Seeds become almost black and hard when ripe; 1-2 seeds per pod.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Very local in the north-east.
Site Tolerance
Moist
Soil Tolerance
Fertile, Loam, Well-drained
General Notes
Susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
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 Information
Seed Collection
Harvest seed close to maturity and dry in warm area. Seed shed very soon after maturity.
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
Seed extraction can be difficult; leaving seeds attached to branch appears to aid opening of pod or pods may need to be crushed. Nicking seed before sowing is the best treatment but can be tedious.
Germination Time
2-6 weeks