Eutaxia myrtifolia
(prev Eutaxia obvata)
Egg and Bacon Plant
(prev Eutaxia obvata)
Egg and Bacon Plant
Wikipedia links: Angiosperms > Eudicots > Rosids > Fabales > Fabaceae > Faboideae > Eutaxia myrtifolia
Other links:
Overview:
Eutaxia myrtifolia, also commonly known as egg and bacon plant or bush pea, is shrub species in the family Fabaceae
It is endemic to Western Australia. Plants may be prostrate or up to 2 m high
Yellow and red flowers are produced throughout the year in the species' native range
It occurs in woodland, shrubland and heath in the coastal region between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Arid
Common name: Egg and Bacon Plant
Conservation status: ...
Etymology:
Flowers:
The flowers are attached via 4 to 5 mm long glabrous pedicels
The flowers are yellow and orange to red in colour and appear from May to July to January or February
Fruit:
Leaves:
The flat, evergreen and glabrous phylloclades or leaves are arranged oppositely with a length of 10 to 2.5 mm and a width of 2 to 5 mm and have a flat of recurved margin
Stipules can be absent or present and persisting to older leaves
Stem & branches:
Roots:
Habit:
The plant can have a scrambling prostrate habit and can grow to a height and width of about 2 m or a spindly broom like appearance with terete and glabrous stems
Habitat:
Mossy areas, along watercourses, in swampy areas and among rocky outcrops growing in peaty sand or sandy clay loam soils over granite or quartzite
Distribution:
It is found along the south west and south coast from Busselton in the north west to around Esperance in the south east
Additional notes:
Cultivation
The species has a reputation as a reliable shrub in cultivation where it has usually been known by the names of Dillwynia obovata or Eutaxia obovata
It is well suited to being grown in rockeries, containers, or other situations providing good drainage
It is resistant to mild frosts and can be grown in coastal areas, with some protection. Pruning after flowering promotes more compact growth
Cultivated plants usually range between 0.75 and 1 m high, and slightly less in width
Plants may be propagated from cuttings or scarified seed
Sources of information: