Fabaceae

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.

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.

Qld, NSW, Vic.

Heath to dry sclerophyll woodland or forest, on acidic well-drained soils.

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)

Well-drained soil. Tolerates frost.

Yellow and red (Aug – Dec). Profuse terminal clusters.

Late Oct to late Feb. Monitor closely as seeds released immediately or within 1-2 days of maturity.

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).

Low-level cover in windbreaks.

Legume — improves soil fertility through ‘fixing’ nitrogen.

Important component of understorey layer.

Ornamental for gardens. Very hardy. Responds to hard pruning.