Scientific Name: Pultenaea prostrata

Common Name: silky 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 shrub with branches prostrate or spreading on ground with tips ascending.

Flowers: Pea flower, yellow streaked with red; wings yellow, keel red.

Fruit: Seed pod – oval, softly hairy, turns from green to red-brown. Seeds become almost black and hard when ripe; 1-2 seeds per pod.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral HighlandsClarenceDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayLauncestonNorthern MidlandsSouthern Midlands
Plant Communities
Grassland
Habitat Notes

Local in grasslands in the midlands.

Site Tolerance

Dry, 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

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Harvest seed close to maturity and dry in warm area. Seeds shed 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