Coast Swainson-pea

Scientific Name: Swainsona lessertifolia

Description: This delicate pea plant has sprawling stems of paired, divided leaves and produces stalklets with up to 20 deep purple flowers. This attractive wildflower prefers the rear of the dunes and copes well with salt spray. Coast Swainson-pea is a very hardy plant despite its quite delicate appearance. When not in flower it may be confused with the weed ‘Common Vetch’ (Vicia sativa) which has a tendril on the end of the leaf.

Plant Form: Ground covers
Where to find: Cliff and Central Shrubland
Foliage: Dark green, oval leaves with oblong leaflets, softly hairy below
Flower: The purple pea flowers, often with a white centre, are clustered at the end of a slender stem
Flowering: August – January