Sturt’s Desert Pea

(Swainsona formosa)

Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Swainsona formosa, commonly known as Sturt’s Desert Pea, is a flowering plant that can behave as an annual or perennial herb, depending on conditions. It is native to arid regions and semi-arid inland areas of Australia, particularly found in open plains, arid woodlands, and scrublands. This plant is renowned for its vibrant, blood-red, leaf-like flowers with a distinctive, bulbous black center, known as the "boss". These flowers are highly ornamental and are among the most recognizable of Australian wildflowers. The flowering season extends through the spring and summer months, and the flowers are primarily pollinated by birds in their natural habitat. The fruit produced is a typical legume pod.

Sturt’s Desert Pea is celebrated for its striking flowers, which make it a popular choice for cultivation in rockeries, native gardens, and as a container plant. It requires full sun exposure to thrive and prefers soils with excellent drainage, as it is adapted to arid conditions. While it can tolerate medium amounts of water, overwatering or poor drainage can be detrimental. In cultivation, it is important to protect it from frost and to use a low-phosphorus fertilizer to avoid damaging the sensitive roots. Due to its unique and showy flowers, it is often used in floral arrangements and as a feature plant in xeriscapes. However, it can be susceptible to fungal diseases if conditions are too humid or wet.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type:
  • Height: 1.5-2 feet
  • Width: 3-9 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Pink, Red
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Low
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to arid regions and semi-arid inland areas of Australia, particularly found in open plains, arid woodlands, and scrublands

Other Names

Common Names: Glory Pea, Lobster Claw, Desert Pea

Scientific Names: , Clianthus formosus, Swainsona formosa, Clianthus dampieri, Clianthus speciosus, Willdampia formosa, Swainsona atrococcinea, Clianthus dampieri var. flore-albo, Clianthus dampieri var. marginatus, Clianthus dampieri var. tricolor

GBIF Accepted Name: Swainsona formosa (G.Don) Joy Thomps.