Chorizema varium

Family: Fabaceae subfamily Faboideae
Distribution: Coastal limestone in a small area of Western Australia, north of Perth.
Common Name: Limestone Pea; Bush Flame Pea
Conservation Status: Listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act* (ie. facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with prescribed criteria). Probable classification 2E under the ROTAP* system. Listed as Threatened under Western Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 legislation.
Derivation of Name: Chorizema…from Greek, choros, a dance and, zema, a food, an apparent reference to the feelings of the discoverers on finding this genus and water at the same location.
varium… From Latin varius, variable, referring to the leaves.

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General Description:

Chorizema is an endemic genus of about 18 species, all but one of which occur in the south west of the continent. They are generally small shrubs characterised by having very brightly coloured red and orange pea-shaped flowers, which give rise to the common name of “flame pea”. Pea flowers consist of 4 petals; the “standard”, the “keel” and two “wings” as shown in the diagram.

These plants (as well as Acacia) are often colonising species which germinate quickly after fires to stabilise the soil and to provide nitrogen (all are legumes able to “fix” nitrogen from the atmosphere in nodules on their roots).

Chorizema varium is a small, prostrate or scrambling shrub up to about 30 cm high. The elongated, heart-shaped leaves are about 15-50 mm long and about 25 mm wide. The colourful pea flowers are relatively large (about 10-12 mm diameter), usually very brightly coloured in red and orange. Flowering occurs in late winter and spring.

C.varium is not in general cultivation due to its rarity in nature.  It would be best suited to drier climates with low summer humidity. The species would appreciate well drained soils with assured moisture and some protection from full sun as the flowers may suffer sunburn.

Propagation from seed is relatively easy following pre-treatment to break the physical dormancy provided by the impervious seed coat. Pre-treatment can be carried out by abrasion or by the use of boiling water (further details can be found in under the “Propagation” tab of the “Pea Family” page). The seed retains viability for many years. Cuttings could be expected to strike well using firm, current season’s growth.

* EPBC Act = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
ROTAP = Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (Briggs and Leigh, 1988)
For further information refer the Australian Plants at Risk page

 

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Chorizema varium
Photo: Brian Walters

 

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