Hovea, Purple Pea, Purple bush pea
Hovea longipes
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1-4 m high and spreads 1.5-3 m wide. Young growth has grey or rusty hairs. The branches curve upwards. The leaves are 1.5-2.5 cm long by 0.7-2 cm wide. The leaves are broad and long. The leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The midrib is depressed. The edges curve backwards. There are felty hairs underneath. The pea like flowers are purple. They are about 0.8 cm across. The fruit are pods which are broad and inflated. They are 9-12 mm long by 10-14 mm wide. They contain 1 or 2 brown seeds.
There are about 20-38 Hovea species. They grow in Australia. Also as Papilionaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows on stony or rocky sites. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. It needs well drained soils and slight shade. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 900 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Pods
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.