About Oxylobium cordifolium Andrews
Oxylobium cordifolium, commonly known as heart-leaved shaggy pea, is a small spreading shrub that reaches approximately 30 cm (12 in) in height. Its branches grow up to 40 cm (16 in) long and are densely covered with long, soft, straight hairs. The heart-shaped leaves are arranged opposite one another or in whorls, measuring 0.3–0.8 cm (0.12–0.31 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) wide. The leaf margins and apex curve downward; the upper leaf surface is covered with warty protuberances, while the underside has sparse hairs. Orange-red flowers are borne in racemes at the end of branches, usually in groups of three. The standard petal is 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long, and the bracts are lance-shaped and taper to a point. The soft, oval-shaped seed pod is sessile, covered in soft silky hairs, 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long, and tapers to a point. Flowering occurs from spring to early summer. This species grows on damp, sandy soils in heath and on coastal headlands in the districts south of Sydney, including Tumut and Conjola.
