Sturt’s desert pea
Swainsona formosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A trailing annual herb. They are 50 cm high. It can spread 1-4 m across. The leaves are grey-green. They have dense hairs. The leaves are divided into 3 soft oval segments 3 cm long. The flowers are bright red with black at the centre. They are pea like. The fruit are leathery pods which are hairy. These are 6 cm long. As they ripen they have two rolled sides. There are several seeds in each side.

There are about 50 Swainsona species. Also as Papilionaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate and arid or semiarid places. It needs well drained soil. It needs full sun. It can stand light frosts. It grows in a Mediterranean climate. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds, flower nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Clianthus formosus (G. Don) Ford & Vick; Clianthus dampieri A. Cunn. ex Lindl.; and others