Sturt’s Desert Pea

~ Swainsona formosa ~

Arleyalnge in the Lower Arrente language, Thurlamardamarda in the Ngarluma language and Ma uku u in the Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara language

FABACEAE

One of our most inspiring wildflowers, the Desert Pea is a striking blood-red bloom with a black glossy celestial ‘eye’ that gives the plant its Pitjantjatjara name, Ma uku u, meaning ‘kangaroo eye’. For some communities, this flower is a significant cultural and remembrance symbol for the blood shed in the Frontier Wars. It is also woven through many Dreaming stories, which for First Nations People are the spiritual knowledge of the origin of all things. The carpet of red flowers are often visited by honey-eating birds like the White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus).

WHERE TO LOOK

Found in the sandy red soils of the arid landscapes of the central and north-western deserts, Sturt’s Desert Pea can be seen from outback New South Wales to South Australia and Western Australia. It hangs out in open desert areas with the Desert Rose (see p. 39) and in mulga woodlands with the Mulga Tree (see p. 119).

Locations → Queensland: Birdsville Billabong; NSW: Kinchega National Park, Mutawintji National Park and Sturt National Park; SA: Vulkathunha–Gammon Ranges National Park; WA: Cape Range National Park and Millstream Chichester National Park; NT: Riverside Walk in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

FEATURES

The ground-dwelling peas grow to 20cm tall and feature silver-green 10–15cm leaves arranged spirally along trailing stems reaching out to 2m. Its blooms grow to 7–9cm and flower in groups of two to six. The black eye is called the ‘boss’ and sits at the base of the larger egg-shaped petal. The flowers can be dressed in all white as well as a pink version with a scarlet eye. The fruit are green hairy pods 4–9cm containing many small seeds.

FLOWERING SEASON

Winter and spring → The perennial Desert Pea can be seen from May to late October and is particularly prolific after rainfall.

PLANTING

Seeds need warm conditions to germinate and a pre-treatment of hot water with an overnight soaking to remove their hard coating. Those that are left floating after the soaking may not be viable, though seeds that almost double in size are ready to be sown and will germinate in around four to ten days, maturing at 19 to 21 weeks. If the soil is disturbed while the plant is establishing, it won’t survive. To avoid death, mist the plants with water in a spray bottle and use biodegradable seedling pots (like egg cartons) so they can be planted out without damaging their sensitive taproot. Place them in full sun, in sandy soil, and allow around 2.5m for them to roam. Or you can train them to climb up a trellis with support tying along the way.