Plants of
South Australia
Daviesia sejugata
Fabaceae
Disjunct Bitter-pea
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Etymology

Daviesia named after the Rev. Hugh Davies (1739-1821), a Welsh botanist and an Anglican clergyman. Sejugata means disjoined, referring to the disjunct geographical distribution of the species from Tasmania to Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.

Distribution and status

Found only on the southern tip of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, growing in mallee-heath on grey, calcareous soil. Also found in Tasmania. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Common in Tasmania.
Herbarium region: Yorke Peninsula
NRM region: Northern and Yorke
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Woody divaricate shrub to 2 m high, sometimes wider than high, with branches ending in spines. Leaves glabrous, dark green, broad lanceolate to 33 mm long and 5.5 mm wide with a pointy tip. Inflorescence 1 or 2 umbels per axil with 2-5 orange-red pea-flowers. Calyx campanulate with broadly triangular, slightly keeled lobes that are erect or slightly recurved from the base. Flowering between September and October. Fruits are no pods have been observed on any plants in South Australia. The plant appear to be suckering. In Tasmania, the pod is shallowly obtriangular to 11 mm long and 6 mm wide. Seeds are no seeds have been observed on any plants in South Australia. In Tasmania, the seed is ellipsoid to 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, orange-brown to tan with black mottling.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between November and January. If pods are observed, collect the maturing ones that are turning brown and contain dark hard seed from the plant using secateurs or by hand. Plant is prickly so it is advisable to wear gloves. Leave the pods in a paper bag to dry for at least a week. Rub the pods gently with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the seeds from unwanted material. Store the dried fruit heads with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. The seed would have physical dormancy that needs to be overcome for the seed to germinate (e.g. nicking or softening the seed coat).