Family:
Fabaceae
Dillwynia phylicoides
Parrot-pea (species complex)
(SYN. D. retorta)
Other Names:
Name Origin:
Dillwynia — after British botanist Lewis Weston Dillwyn (1778- 1855).
phylicoides — from genus Phylica and oides, like, referring to small narrow leaves which resemble those of Phylica genus.
Regional Subspecies:
Occurrence:
Regional:
Quite widespread, predominantly in drier areas west of the Hume Highway. Noted in the areas: Yarra Yarra; Four Mile; Coppabella; Lower Sandy; Coreinbob; O’Briens South & McLeods; Burkes & Graveyard, Urana-Rand-Corowa; Albury; Bowna-Jindera; Thugga-Culcairn East; Upper Back & Upper Jerra Jerra; Sawyers-Forest-Four Post & Little Billabong; Mullengandra; Fowlers Swamp & Wagra; Keajura, Upper Burkes, and Mates Gully.
Australia:
Qld, NSW, Vic.
Habitat:
Heath to dry sclerophyll woodland or forest, on acidic well-drained soils.
Habit:
Prostrate to erect shrub to 1.5 m high with hairy stems and spirally twisted leaves, usually 3-8 mm long. (D. retorta, formerly considered a separate species but now merged with this species, recorded to 3 m high)
Site Preference:
Well-drained soil. Tolerates frost.
Flowering:
Yellow and red (Aug – Dec). Profuse terminal clusters.
Seed Collection:
Late Oct to late Feb. Monitor closely as seeds released immediately or within 1-2 days of maturity.
Propagation:
From scarified seed or cuttings. Soak in near-boiling water for about 30 seconds, before cooling rapidly under flowing cold water. Alternatively soak in cold water for several hours. Dry to prevent rotting before sowing. Germination takes 3-4 weeks. Suitable for direct seeding in pots (2-3 seeds per pot).
VALUES:
Shade & Shelter:
Low-level cover in windbreaks.
Land Protection:
Legume — improves soil fertility through ‘fixing’ nitrogen.
Wildlife:
Important component of understorey layer.
Ornamental:
Ornamental for gardens. Very hardy. Responds to hard pruning.