Family:
Fabaceae
Hovea heterophylla
Common Name
(syn. Hovea heterophylla)
Other Names: Bird’s-eye, Blue Bonnet.
First Nations Name(s):
Regional Subspecies:
Occurrence:
Regional:
Noted in the areas: Gilmore Lower and Sandy, Upper Gilmore and Yaven Creek. Probably in similar country in other parts of the region.
Habitat:
Eucalypt forest.
Habit:
Upright or trailing shrub to about 50 cm high with light mauve flowers, Aug-Sep, and variable olive-green leaves.
Site Preference:
Prefers well-drained, moist soils in filtered shade.
Seed Collection:
Early Oct-late Dec. Monitor closely as mature seeds soon shed. Rounded green seeds turn black when ripe.
Propagation:
From scarified seed which germinate readily, or cuttings which strike readily, but are slow to establish.
VALUES:
Land Protection:
Legume — improves soil fertility through ‘fixing’ nitrogen. Important component of understorey.
Ornamental:
Ornamental for informal garden drifts and containers. Rejuvenate old plants by pruning.