Rank Species | ||
 | ||
Gastrolobium leakeanum commonly known as Mountain pea is a plant in the pea family Fabaceae growing as an erect or sprawling shrub to about 2 metres (1.5 ft) high with red to orange–yellow flowers in spring. It is endemic to a limited area of the south–west of Western Australia.
Contents
Description
The Mountain pea was described by James Drummond as "twelve to fifteen feet [3.5–4.5 m] high with opposite leaves three inches long by two broad [7.5–5 cm], and bears clusters of large deep scarlet flowers in the axils of the leaves".
Taxonomy and naming
G. leakeanum is one of about 100 species of Gastrolobium. It was first described by James Drummond in the Perth newspaper, The Inquirer on 6 December 1848 (Drummond was a prolific contributor to Perth newspapers) and subsequently in William Hooker's Journal of Botany and Kew Garden Miscellany. The specific epithet (leakeanum) refers to Mr George Leake, a leading member of Perth society and husband of the botanical illustrator, Georgiana Leake.
Distribution and habitat
G. leakeanum grows on mountaintops, ridges and steep slopes in sandy clay or loam over quartzite or in stony soils. It is found in the Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions of Western Australia.
Conservation status
This species is classified as "near threatened, priority two" by the Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation. It is known to be susceptible to the fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi from glasshouse experiments in which the plant was inoculated with the fungus.
Cultivation
As with other members of its genus, G. leakeanum has been avoided in cultivation, probably because of the poisonous components in its foliage.