Chorizema ilicifolium. Image taken from http://pixdaus.com/chorizema-ilicifolium-flowers/items/view/581086/.
Currently flowering in the south-west is the beautiful and brightly coloured holly flame pea.
The holly flame pea belongs to the plant family Fabaceae and to the genus Chorizema. Chorizema is both native and endemic to Australia and is found in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. In Western Australia there are 26 species of Chorizema, 14 of which are endemic to Western Australia.
Chorizema are usually shrubs with pinkish orange pea flowers that have yellow markings and free stamens. Their leaves are simple (a single leaf blade) and are often spiny or spine-tipped. Chorizema usually flowers between mid-winter and early summer; flowering peaks in early spring.
The holly flame pea’s scientific name is Chorizema ilicifolium. Chorizema ilicifolium is a shrub that can grow to about 0.5 m in height. Its leaves are ovate (oval shaped) to narrowly ovate, the leaf margins are spiny-toothed with unusually large triangular tips that are spine-tipped. Chorizema ilicifolium has a loose inflorescence (a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem) of 1 to 4 flowers. The flowers are typical pea flowers having a standard, a keel and 2 wings (you can see a diagram of a typical pea flower below) and are yellow to orange in colour with yellow markings and pink wings.
Diagram of a typical pea flower. Image taken from http://asgap.org.au/c-cor.html
Chorizema ilicifolium is found on sand over limestone and often on dunes, cliffs or headlands in coastal heath or shrublands.
The brilliant colours of the holly flame pea make it easy to spot on the dull winter backdrop. So when you are out on your next bush walk, be sure to keep an eye out for Chorizema ilicifolium, its lovely loud colours make it a cheerful sight.
Botanical drawing of Chorizema ilicifolium. Image taken from http://www.lesleyelkan.com/index.php?page=artwork&id=4
Sources:
- Wheeler, J., Marchant, N. and Lewington, M. (2002). Flora of the South West of Western Australia, Volume 2. Australian Biological Resources Study and University of Western Australia Press. Perth, Western Australia.
- Florabase
