Family Index

Scientific Name

Hovea heterophylla

Family Name

FABACEAE (LEGUMINOSAE)

Common Name

Common Hovea, Bird's eye

Status

Height

<0.10m (<10cm)

Flowers

Blue-mauve pea flowers, 8mm across in leaf axils.

Fruit

Seed pods

Form

Small, woody shrub, slender branches, spreading to erect; long narrow leaves 3cm.

Municipalities

Communities

Grassy Vegetation

Habitat Notes

Widespread in dry grassland & stony places.

Site Tolerance

Dry; Dry; Exposed; Rocky; Shady; Windy

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Phosphorous intolerant; Poor; Sandy; Well-drained

General Notes

Use capillary watering to reduce likelihood of seeds rotting. Harvest pod close to maturity & dry in warm place. Seed extraction difficult; may be easier if seed is left attached to branch. Pods that don't open need to be crushed. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Round/egg-shaped hairy pod1cm long, with 2 seeds. pods turn from green to black at maturity and seeds turn from cream to dark grey when ripe. seed drops soon after maturity. bag maturing fruits or place groundsheets under plants to catch seed

Seed Treatment Method

Hot water

Seed Storage Life

long

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Nicking seed provides best results. Boiling water may also be used but is more damaging than hot water. Dry seed before sowing - seed prone to rotting.

Germination Time

3-4 weeks

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Yes

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes

Cuttings strike readily but are slow to establish.