Pultenaea mollis

Soft Bush-pea

Erect to spreading shrub, sometimes semi-prostrate, with pale curly to twisted hairs on young growth.

FamilyFabaceae
StoreyMiddle storey
Size1-3 m x 1-2 m
Plant groupingShrubs 1.5-10 m
LeavesNarrow dark green leaves 10-20 mm x 0.3-1.2 mm, flat or round in cross section, tip softly pointed, lower surface hairy, margins inrolled. Brown leaf-like stipules at base strongly curved back.
Flower colourYellow to orange with red markings.
Flowering timeSeptember to November
FlowersTerminal head-like cluster of 4-10 pea flowers to 8 mm wide. Calyx hairy.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsDry to moist soils in open forests and gullies. Tolerates light to moderate frosts. Dappled and semi shade.
Garden useAn attractive shrub for underplanting or as a background plant in ferneries.
Commercially availableUnlikely to be available within the Shire of Yarra Ranges
Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions but limited in distribution.
Related speciesThe pea plants can be difficult to identify. All Pultenaeas have stipules, small leaf-like structures, on the stem at the base of the leaf.