Friday, November 1, 2013

JACKSONIA VENOSA

This is one of the many pea flower genera from the legume Fabaceae family, which now also includes Acacia,  Senna etc.  Jacksonia venosa is a small shrub mostly between 10-20 cm (4-8") in height spreading to 60 cm (2') diameter.  It is very common in Western Australia in near coastal locations from Ravensthorpe to Israelite Bay, with Esperance centrally placed between.


Although there are several similar looking Jacksonia plants in the district,  J. venosa is easily distinguished by their relatively near coastal distribution and the flowers, which are strongly veined red on the back of the standard.  It normally grows in a heath environment on a variety of non-calcareous sand and/or gravel soils.  The flowers are invariably yellow and orange, merging to red.


Several Jacksonia spp. are very opportunistic regarding unseasonal rainfall, by quickly coming into flower to take advantage of a good soaking, so often flowers can be found during a wet summer, although not as numerous then as from August to October, which is their main flowering period.

8 comments:

  1. Only 8 inches high? That would make a good ground cover in places where you'd need to be able to step over them to reach taller plants for pruning perhaps. Best in a native garden with other natives though.

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    1. I thought it seemed a tad small but that's what the description said but then not all our native plants grow tall. Some spread sideways which I think this one does. I guess native do do best with other natives but they'd also do well with plants that don't need too much water I would think. i.e. lavender.

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    1. Not the prettiest of our wildflowers but still quite nice. xx

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  3. Hari Om
    Oh this is wonderful!! Why? Because my parents had this in their Turramurra garden and we never did know the name of it... Thank you once again Mimsie! YAM xx

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    1. How wonderful that I was able to supply a name for you Yam. They must have had a wonderful garden. xx

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  4. ANOTHER gorgeous plant (and post). Thank you.

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  5. yvw as usual but I was a little disappointed with this one. Not as spectacular as others of our plants perhaps? Wouldn't stand out in a crowd but then nor would I, except for size perhaps. :)

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