Phyllota pleurandroides
heathy phyllota
Overview
Phyllota pleurandroides is a small, erect evergreen shrub of the family Fabaceae, reaching 1–3 feet (0.3–1 m) tall and 1–2.5 feet (0.3–0.8 m) wide. The wiry, branched stems carry crowded, narrow, heath-like leaves 0.2–0.6 inch (5–15 mm) long with edges rolled under and hairy undersides. In late winter and spring small yellow pea flowers, often marked with red to brown, open in the upper leaf axils and cluster toward the branch tips. The fruit is a small, hairy pod typical of the pea family. P. pleurandroides grows in heath, dry shrubland, and open woodland on sandy and gravelly soils in south-eastern Australia. As a legume it fixes nitrogen and tolerates nutrient-poor soils, full sun, and dry conditions, but it is short-lived, sensitive to phosphorus-rich and waterlogged soils, and slow to recover from hard pruning into old wood.
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, in heath, dry shrubland, and open woodland on sandy and gravelly soils.Suggested Uses
Used in dry native gardens, heath plantings, and rockeries on sandy, low-phosphorus soils. Suited to low-water sites in full sun. Spaced 1.5–2.5 feet (0.5–0.8 m) apart.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow with red to brown markingsFoliage Description
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