Chorizema parviflorum, commonly known as eastern flame pea,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect shrub with linear to narrowly egg-shaped leaves and yellow and reddish flowers arranged in racemes on the ends of branches.

Chorizema parviflorum
In Maryborough, Queensland
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Chorizema
Species:
C. parviflorum
Binomial name
Chorizema parviflorum
Synonyms[1]

Description

edit

Chorizema parviflorum is an erect or ascending shrub that typically grows to a height of 20–50 cm (7.9–19.7 in), its branches more or less glabrous. The leaves are linear to narrowly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) long and 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide but often variable in size. The edges of the leaves curve downwards, the tip of the leaves is sharply pointed, and the lower surface is softly-hairy. The flowers are arranged in racemes on the ends of branches with narrowly lance-shaped bracts and bracteoles at the base. The sepals are 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long and the petals 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and yellow with a reddish centre. Flowering occurs in spring and the fruit is a broadly oval pod 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long.[2][3]

Taxonomy

edit

This chorizema was first formally described in 1837 by George Bentham in Commentationes de Leguminosarum Generibus from specimens collected by Ferdinand Bauer .[4][5] The specific epithet (parviflorum) means "small-leaved".[3]

Distribution and habitat

edit

Chorizema parviflorum mostly grows in woodland, heath or forest and is widespread but not common from south-east Queensland to the coast of New South Wales as far south as the Sydney region.[2][3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Chorizema parviflorum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Wiecek, Barbara. "Chorizema parviflorum". ROyal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Robinson, Les (1991). Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney. Kenthurst, N.S.W.: Kangaroo Press. p. 75. ISBN 0864171927.
  4. ^ "Chorizema parviflorum". APNI. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ Bentham, George (1837). Commentationes de Leguminosarum Generibus. p. 7. Retrieved 16 August 2023.