M. FAGG 
Daviesia 
mimosoides 
The large genus Daviesia, commonly 
known as bitter peas, has an Australia¬ 
wide distribution with about 110 species. 
Most occur in Western Australia where 
there are more than seventy species. They 
are included in the family Fabaceae, one 
of the three legume families, all of which 
have fruit known as a pod or legume. This 
large useful group of families has 
nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules or 
small swellings on the roots, which benefit 
the soil wherever they flourish. 
Dr Michael Crisp of the Australian 
National Botanic Bardens has studied the 
genus over a prolonged period and has 
introduced many species to cultivation. 
Daviesia mimosoides, or narrow-leaf 
bitter pea, is a widespread variable shrub 
which is found growing in a variety of 
habitats ranging in altitude from sea level 
to 1500 m. The distribution of the species 
extends from Maroochydore in southern 
coastal Queensland southwards through 
the coast and tablelands of New South 
Wales and the Australian Capital Territory 
to the eastern highlands of Victoria. It 
usually occurs in open forests dominated 
by a variety of eucalypts, although in 
coastal and mountainous areas it occurs 
in heath. In the southern mountainous 
regions of NSW and the ACT it often 
dominates much of the understorey. 
D. mimosoides is very attractive when 
inflowerand has colourful red stems when 
young. It has a multi-stemmed open habit 
growing to a height of 1-2 m. The alternate 
lance-shaped leaves which are 50- 
100 mm long are thick and rigid, resem¬ 
bling the foliage of some acacias, hence 
the name ‘mimosoides’. The pea-shaped 
flowers, which are a familiar component 
of the Australian bushland, are yellow with 
a dark red or maroon infusion and are 
borne in 5 to 10 flowered clusters. They 
appear as early as August on the coast, 
finishing as late as December at high 
altitudes. The fruit is a triangular-shaped 
flattened pod. 
D. mimosoides is hardy, quick-growing 
and green throughout the year. It is readily 
propagated from seed which should be 
scarified or treated with boiling water 
before sowing. Plants will grow in semi¬ 
shade but perform best in a well-drained 
sunny position which is well mulched. 
They respond to light pruning after 
flowering in the early stages of develop¬ 
ment. An application of a complete 
fertiliser* in spring and autumn is 
beneficial. 
A particularly attractive form of D. 
mimosoides occurs in the New England 
area of New South Wales. It has arching 
branches and denser flower clusters with 
brighter yellow flowers than the more 
common form. 
348 
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