About Pultenaea mollis Lindl.
Pultenaea mollis Lindl. is an erect or spreading shrub that usually grows up to 3 metres (9.8 feet) tall. Its stems are covered in twisted or curled hairs. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems; they are narrow linear to elliptic or needle-shaped, 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) long and 0.3–1.2 mm (0.012–0.047 in) wide. The leaf edges roll inwards, and the lower surface of the leaf is covered in hairs. Each leaf has 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long stipules at its base, with edges that are rolled under.
Flowers of this species form leafy clusters of four to ten, located near the ends of short side branches. Each individual flower is 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) long, and grows on a 1.5–4 mm (0.059–0.157 in) long pedicel, with bracts that reach up to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. The sepals are 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long, with egg-shaped bracteoles 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) long attached to the base of the sepal tube. The standard and wing petals are yellow with red markings, while the keel petal is red.
Flowering takes place from spring to summer. The fruit is an egg-shaped pod that is 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. This species, commonly called soft bush-pea, grows in forest and sometimes in heathland. It is found in coastal areas from south of Gosford in New South Wales through the southern half of Victoria, where it is widespread and locally common. It also grows in north-eastern Tasmania.
