Hovea trisperma Benth.

Growth Form

Hovea trisperma is a perennial, short-stemmed, sprawling woody shrub that reaches up to 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in) tall, growing as multiple stems from its base. Its branches are covered either thickly or sparsely in flattened, often crinkled or twisted hairs.

Leaf Shape Variability

The species has variable leaf shapes, including elliptic, lance-shaped, oval, or linear-oblong, and leaf shape can vary even on a single plant. Upper leaves measure 0.8–13 cm (0.31–5.12 in) long and 0.3–6 cm (0.12–2.36 in) wide.

Leaf Morphology

Leaf apexes are either rounded or pointed, leaf margins may be slightly or distinctly curved under, upper leaf surfaces are either smooth or covered in soft hairs, and leaf petioles are 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long.

Inflorescence Arrangement

Inflorescences grow in leaf axils as clusters of 1 to 6 purplish-blue flowers, which are either sessile or borne on a short peduncle. Each flower sits on a 1–7 mm (0.039–0.276 in) long pedicel that is densely covered in flattened, spreading hairs.

Calyx Characteristics

The calyx is thickly covered in flattened, erect to slightly spreading hairs.

Standard Petal Dimensions

The standard petal is 10.8–20.2 mm (0.43–0.80 in) long and 10.5–25 mm (0.41–0.98 in) wide, with a white central flare.

Wing and Keel Dimensions

The flower wings are 9–14.8 mm (0.35–0.58 in) long and 3.1–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) wide, while the keel is 6–11.6 mm (0.24–0.46 in) long and 2.3–4 mm (0.091–0.157 in) wide.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs between May and November, and the fruit is an oval-shaped pod.

Habitat

Common hovea, the common name of this species, grows in sandy and clay soils in heath, woodland, and mallee habitats.

Distribution Range

Its distribution ranges from Perth south to Busselton, and extends east to the south-west near Albany and Esperance.