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Is it illegal to pick Sturt desert Peas?
Common names. It is well adapted to life as a desert plant. Sturt’s desert pea is not endangered, but it is illegal to collect specimens of the plant from Crown land without a permit. The plants must not be collected from private land without the written consent of the land owner.
What does a Sturt’s desert Pea look like?
In its natural habitat Sturt’s Desert Pea is a perennial plant with silky grey-green pinnate foliage arising from prostrate stems. The leaves and stems are covered with downy hairs. The flowers are about 9 cm long and arranged in clusters of six to eight on short, thick, erect stalks.
Why is it called Sturt desert Pea?
Sturt’s desert pea is part of the genus swainsona, named after English botanist Isaac Swainson. The common name of the plant was given in honour of the British explorer of Australia, Charles Sturt.
Why is the Sturt desert Pea important?
Apart from its role as the state flower of South Australia, Sturt’s Desert Pea is highly sought after as a cut flower plant. Having had a long botanical history since its discovery in 1699 by William Dampier, Sturt’s Desert Pea has undergone a number of botanical name changes.
What should you not do when growing Sturt Desert Peas?
Here are some things to avoid:
- Compost, worm castings, manure and clayey soils are too heavy for Sturt Desert Pea. They prefer free draining, loose, sandy soil.
- Shady positions. They need sunny, hot environments.
- Over crowding with other plants.
- Over fertilising will cause ‘toxic shock’ from too much phosphorus.
Where do Sturt Desert Peas grow?
To grow the Sturt’s desert pea, it needs perfect drainage, full sun, and minimal watering once the seedling becomes established. A good way to grow in the garden, is in a large tub or a terracotta drainage pipe stood upright and filled with gritty free draining soil. Hanging baskets are also a great way to grow them.
How do you take care of Sturt Desert Peas?
7 steps to success with Sturt Desert Pea
- Wake them up! Sturt Desert Pea seeds are dormant.
- Give them a hot bath. Remove from the fridge and soak the seeds in very hot water (not boiling).
- Give them a moist bed.
- Water them gently.
- Do not disturb the tap root.
- Keep them in the sun but away from bugs.
- Feed them.
How long do Sturt Desert Peas flower for?
It is usually treated as an annual, and should flower 4 months after sowing from seed….Swainsona formosa – Sturt’s Desert Pea.
| Family: | Fabaceae |
|---|---|
| Height: | 0.5 ~ 0.75 metres |
| Width: | 1 ~ 3 metre |
| Flower Colour: | Cream, Red, Pink, Black |
| Flowering Time: | Spring, Summer |
How does the Sturt’s Desert Pea survive?
This plant lives in hot inland deserts with sandy, rocky surroundings. Some of the structural adaptations of the Sturt’s Desert Pea are: small seeds that hold viability, which allows it to germinate after many years. Also the long tap root can allow access to water in deep areas of the soil.
Are Sturt Desert Peas hard to grow?
The blood-faced wildflower grows prolifically in harsh environments, but they are near on impossible to grow yourself in the backyard, until now. “The colour of the Sturt Desert Pea has the potential to almost blow your eyeballs out,” Sabrina Hahn concluded. …
How do you take care of a Sturt Desert Pea?