Southern Swainson Pea

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©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Maree Goods via natureshare.org.au

Swainsona behriana


Prostrate to erect spreading heb to 15 cm tall and up to 30 cm in diameter. Dark green leaves are divided along a central stem (pinnate) and have finely pointed tips. Small triangular leaf-like bract (stipule) at the base of the leaves. Clusters of 2-7 purplish pea flowers.


Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Other Common Names
BehrÕs Swainson-pea
Distinctive Features

Stems soft and downy with spreading hairs. Two bottom petals are fused to form a keel which is characteristically twisted in this species. Leaves are opposite.

Biology

Perennial. Well-drained soil in grassland and grassy woodland.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Aug-Jan

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Swainsona
Species
behriana

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

The Plains form grows in densely packed tufts.

Native Status
Native