Pullenia gunnii
slender tick-trefoil
Overview
Pullenia gunnii is a slender, trailing perennial herb in the pea family, with wiry stems 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long that spread along the ground or scramble through low vegetation. The leaves are divided into three leaflets, each oval to diamond-shaped and 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long, mid-green and thinly hairy. Small pea flowers 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) long appear singly or in loose sprays, pink to mauve with a darker centre. The fruit is a flattened pod constricted between the seeds into several segments, each covered in tiny hooked hairs that cling to fur and clothing and carry the seed away. Flowering occurs in the warmer months, mainly spring and summer. The plant grows in grassy open forest, woodland, and disturbed ground in eastern Australia, on a range of soils. As a legume it fixes nitrogen through root nodules. It is low-growing and inconspicuous, and the clinging seed pods are its most noticeable feature.
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. It grows in grassy open forest, woodland, and disturbed clearings on a range of soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native grassland, meadow, and revegetation plantings within its range. It contributes nitrogen to the soil as a legume and forms low ground cover. The flowers draw native bees and other small pollinators.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 10"
Width/Spread8" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to mauveFoliage Description
Mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Pullenia gunnii in full sun to part shade on a range of well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5-7.5. As a legume it fixes its own nitrogen and tolerates low-fertility ground. It withstands drought once established and dies back in dry or cold spells, regrowing from the base. The clinging seed pods spread it readily, so it can appear in surrounding ground. It is grown mainly in native grassland and habitat plantings rather than formal beds.Pruning
Trim trailing stems to control the spread and remove untidy growth at any time. Cutting back after seeding limits the spread of the clinging pods. The plant regrows from the base after being cut down.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons