Daviesia villifera
prickly daviesia
Overview
Daviesia villifera is an upright evergreen shrub of the family Fabaceae, reaching 1.5–6.5 feet (0.5–2 m) tall and 1.5–5 feet (0.5–1.5 m) wide. The rigid stems carry stiff, sharply pointed phyllodes, the flattened leaf stalks that act as leaves, which make the plant prickly to handle. The phyllodes are crowded, triangular to lance-shaped, and end in a sharp point. In late winter and spring the shrub produces clusters of small pea-shaped flowers, each about 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) across, in yellow to orange with red to maroon markings. The fruit is a small triangular pod typical of the genus. D. villifera grows in heath, shrubland, and open woodland on sandy and gravelly soils in south-western Western Australia. As a legume it fixes nitrogen and tolerates nutrient-poor soils, full sun, and dry summers, but it is sensitive to humidity, summer wet, and phosphorus-rich soils. The sharp phyllodes make placement near paths and seating impractical.
Native Range
Native to south-western Western Australia, growing in heath, shrubland, and open woodland on sandy and gravelly soils.Suggested Uses
Used in dry native gardens, in low-water and coastal heath plantings, and as a prickly barrier shrub. Suited to sandy, low-phosphorus soils in full sun. The sharp phyllodes limit its use near paths and seating.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 6'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 5'
Bloom Information
Clusters of small pea-shaped flowers open in late winter and spring (August–November in the native range). The flowers are yellow to orange with red to maroon markings, about 0.3–0.4 inch (8–10 mm) across. Small triangular pods follow, releasing seed as they dry.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow to orange with red markingsFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight