Bossiaea prostrata

Bossiaea prostrata; Creator: sweetpea28; https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/256724325

Last updated on May 7th, 2025 at 03:31 am

Common name

Creeping Bossiaea

Position

Part shade

Flower shape and colour

Pea like; Orange

Form

Prostrate

Suitability for landscaping

Groundcover for native landscapes, rockeries, parks and reserves. For weed-suppression and erosion control. Can be grown beneath other plants or in the open, suitable for embankments (BGofSA, Bossiaea prostrata)

Propagation

Propagation of Bossiaea seeds needs treatment before sowing. This is done by allowing the seeds, which have a hard seed coat, to stand in boiled water for 12 hours. The softened seeds then swell and are ready for sowing. The seeds are best sown in a mixture of three parts coarse sand and one part peat moss or similar. Seed, however, is not often available. Cuttings strike reasonably well from firm, current season’s growth. Australian Native Plants details propagation techniques for members of the Pea (Fabaceae) family of native plants.

(Howes, J, Clarke, Australian Plants Society, NSW; Fagg, Wrigley, 2013, p. 31)

Cultivation

Regular pruning beneficial.  It is listed in the South Australian State Flora Catalogue p. 35.

(Molyneux B, Forrester p. 150)

References/Acknowledgements