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.