During a short afternoon walk at King's Park Botanical Garden yesterday, I spotted the scarlet pea which is a state flower of South Australia: Sturt's Desert Pea.
This cute wild pea is named after Captain Charles Sturt (1795-1869), who recorded Australian native plants in 1844. The flower has a story is related to grief and sadness in Aboriginal legend, so it is called 'flower of blood' by some native people. It grows in sandy well drained soil. The pea does not like wet roots because it is more susceptible to fungal disease and insect attack.
The flowers bloom in summer with various colors ranging from blood scarlet, pink and pale cream. A black part in the middle is called central boss with different colors, too. Essence from this flower is powerful and could be used as a healing remedy for deep hurts, emotional pain and sorrow. However, recently, the federal drugs law proposed to ban this plant from domestic garden since it contains dangerous chemicals.
Despite the rumor, I think Sturt's Desert Pea is really a pretty eye catching plant.
Perth,
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