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. This sprawling native plant produces stems that can reach 2m in length.
Why is the Sturt Desert Pea significant in SA?
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.
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 ~ 2 metres |
| Width: | 1 ~ 3 metre |
| Flower Colour: | Cream, Red, Pink, Black |
| Flowering Time: | Spring, Summer |
Is it illegal to pick Sturt Desert Peas?
Sturt’s Desert Pea is protected in South Australia. The flowers and plants must not be collected on private land without the written consent of the owner. Collection on Crown land is illegal without a permit.
Where is the Sturt desert Pea Found?
mainland Australia
Sturt’s Desert Pea occurs naturally in inland areas of all of mainland Australia, except for Victoria. It extends to the coast in Western Australia, north of Shark Bay (where the desert meets the sea). Swainsona formosa was adopted as the floral emblem of South Australia in 1961 when it was known as Clianthus formosus.
Where is the Sturt desert Rose found?
Northern Territory
Sturt’s Desert Rose is an arid-zone plant which grows best in dry regions on stony or rocky sloping ground or in dry creek beds. It is found in the southern part of the Northern Territory. Residents of Alice Springs often grow it as a garden shrub.
How does the Sturt desert Pea survive?
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. years The seeds have a hard covering which protects them from severe arid conditions until next rainfall.
How does the Sturt Desert Pea survive?
Where is the Sturt Desert Pea Found?
Are Sturt desert Peas hard to grow?
The Sturt’s Desert pea is a well-known Australian native flower that is the state floral emblem for South Australia. Although much admired these plants are notoriously hard to grow outside their natural desert environment as they are prone to fungal diseases and root rots.
Why was the Sturt Desert Rose chosen?
The Sturt’s Desert Rose was adopted as the floral emblem of the Northern Territory in 1974. It was named in honour of Charles Sturt who first collected it during his journey to Central Australia in 1844-45.
What country is the Desert Rose native to?
Gossypium sturtianum (Sturt’s Desert Rose) occurs in the arid interior throughout the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It is a member of Malvaceae, a cosmopolitan family with most of its 2000 species occurring in warm or tropical climates.
What kind of plant is Sturt’s Desert Pea?
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.
How are sturt’s desert pea protected in Australia?
It is able to withstand the marked extremes of temperature experienced in inland deserts, and light frosts are tolerated by established plants. Sturt’s Desert Pea is protected in South Australia. The flowers and plants must not be collected on private land without the written consent of the owner.
How tall does a sturt pea grow to be?
Scientific Name: SWAINSONA formosa. Common Name: Sturt Pea. Alternative Common Name: Sturt’s Desert Pea. Family: Fabaceae. Height: Up to 0.5m.
Is it possible to graft sturt’s desert pea?
Attempts at grafting the Sturt’s Desert Pea have been successful. Grafting plants onto the rootstocks of Clianthus puniceus (Parrot’s Beak) has resulted in increased vigour and lifespan. A grafted Sturt’s Desert Pea is expected to live up to 3 years longer than its natural lifespan of one year.