General Description:

Bossiaea is a genus of about 80 species all of which occur naturally only in Australia. They are found in all States and are small to medium shrubs.

Bossiaea obcordata is a small shrub with an erect growth habit and which may reach 1.5 metres in height. The greyish-green leaves are oval to heart-shaped to about 30-60 mm long and wide.

The flowers appear during spring and are yellow with a red centre.  They have the typical “pea” shape consisting of 4 petals; the “standard”, the “keel” and two “wings”, as shown in the diagram. They occur on 1.5 mm long stalks from the leaf axils in spring and are about 10-15 mm long. The flowers are followed by small, oblong seed pods about 10-20 mm long.

Bossiaeas are rarely seen in cultivation and Bossiaea obcordata is no exception. It is a very attractive species in both flower and foliage and would enhance any native garden. It is a reasonably hardy species for sunny or semi-shaded sites in well drained soils. It tolerates at least moderate frost and responds to pruning to produce a more densely foliaged plant.

Propagation is relatively easy from seed following pre-treatment with boiling water (similar to other members of the pea family). Seed, however, is not often available. Cuttings strike reasonably well from firm, current season’s growth.