Why is the Sturt Desert Pea important?

Why is the Sturt Desert Pea important?

Sturt’s desert pea is famous for its distinctive slender-tipped red flower. Although the floral emblem for South Australia, this easily-recognised wildflower is found throughout inland arid zones of Australia. Sturt’s desert pea is part of the genus swainsona, named after English botanist Isaac Swainson.

What does Sturt’s Desert Pea eat?

Australian Aborigines eat the roasted seeds, or make cakes by grinding the seeds and then baking them. However, the seeds contain trypsin inhibitors. Trypsin is an essential enzyme which breaks down proteins during digestion, so these seeds may not be ideal for eating. The desert pea makes a great cut flower.

Where is the Sturt Desert Pea?

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.

What is the scientific name for Sturt Desert Pea?

Swainsona formosa
Swainsona formosa/Scientific names

Can I pick Sturt Desert Pea?

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.

How does the Sturt Desert Pea survive?

The Sturt’s Desert Pea’s behavioural adaptations are: the seeds have longer sustainability, also they can grow after several. years The seeds have a hard covering which protects them from severe arid conditions until next rainfall. There is one threat to it’s survival which is hot weather conditions.

Can you propagate Sturt Desert Pea?

The Sturt’s Desert Pea is most commonly propagated through seed, although cuttings and micropropagation are also possible. Seeds need to be scarified before sowing to allow imbibition of water to occur.

How do you take care of a Sturt Desert Pea?

To grow the Sturt’s desert pea, it needs perfect drainage, full sun, and minimal watering once the seedling becomes established. A good way to grow in the garden, is in a large tub or a terracotta drainage pipe stood upright and filled with gritty free draining soil. Hanging baskets are also a great way to grow them.

How long do Sturt Desert Pea flowers last?

It is usually treated as an annual, and should flower 4 months after sowing from seed. It was formerly known as Clianthus formosus, and is a protected plant in South Australia….Swainsona formosa – Sturt’s Desert Pea.

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.

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.

When did sturt’s desert pea become the emblem of South Australia?

Sturt’s desert pea (described as Clianthus formosus) was adopted as the floral emblem of the state of South Australia on 23 November 1961.

How did the Swainsona Desert Pea get its name?

Swainsona formosa. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Swainsona formosa, Sturt’s Desert Pea, is an Australian plant in the genus Swainsona, named after English botanist Isaac Swainson, famous for its distinctive blood-red leaf-like flowers, each with a bulbous black centre, or “boss”. It is one of Australia’s best known wildflowers.

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.

Why is the Sturt Desert Pea important? Sturt’s desert pea is famous for its distinctive slender-tipped red flower. Although the floral emblem for South Australia, this easily-recognised wildflower is found throughout inland arid zones of Australia. Sturt’s desert pea is part of the genus swainsona, named after English botanist Isaac Swainson. What does Sturt’s Desert…