Platylobium obtusangulum
Common Flat-pea
Spreading, clumping or arching shrubs with hairless to densely shaggy stems.
Additional information
- FamilyFabaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size0.6-1 m x 0.6-1.8 m
- Plant groupingShrubs to 2m
- LeavesStalkless, mostly paired dark green triangular or arrow-shaped leathery leaves, 1-3 cm x 0.6-3.8 cm, network of veins, lobe tips prickly or rounded.
- Flower colourYellow with red centres
- Flowering timeSeptember to November
- Flowers1-3 large pea flowers in leaf axils on short stalks 3-8 mm long which are hidden by overlapping brown scales and papery bracts. Small bracts overlap the base of the calyx. Flat, hairy, winged pods.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsDry well drained soils in woodland and heathland. Frost tolerant. Full sun, semi-shade.
- Garden useAttractive upright plant for gardens and bushland. Prune for hedging.
- Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
- Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
- Related speciesPlatylobium formosum has been revised and is no longer recognised in Victoria. The bracts and scales at the base of the flower stalks and the small bracts at the base of the calyx are two of the major identification features of the Platylobiums.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 2, 4 Marilyn Bull; 3 Cathy Powers ©
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