We will be closed for restocking from November 17th to 24nd. During this time, we will continue to receive and respond to orders and emails, but no orders will be shipped.
CROTALARIA cunninghamii
Regal Birdflower
Stock: Available
SKU Code: N 223
Family: Fabaceae
Characteristics: Shrub to 1.5 m spread 1.5 m
Seed per packet: Approx 10
Seed per gram: Approx. 20
A small shrub with green flowers that resemble a hummingbird that is attached by its beak to the central stalk of the flower head.
Flowering occurs from winter to spring, and sometimes in autumn in its native range. The fruit is a pea-like pod, about 4-5 cm long, which is swollen, hard and velvety.
Typically an erect and hairy stem and an open textured crown, stout woolly branches and rounded dull green leaves.
Can be grown successfully in most temperate to hot climates.
A good self-seeding species for most climates and revegetation projects.
Occurs naturally in the arid to semi-arid zones and the tropics, including northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, northern South Australia and southwest Queensland.
Prefers a light well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought and resistant to an occasional frost.
Grow notes:
Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoiding the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.
Cortalaria seeds germinate readily, however, they do have a hard outer coating that is impervious to water and generally, germination will usually not occur unless the source is scarified by abrading or pre-treated with boiling water first.
Place the seed in a container and pour in just-boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
The swollen seed can then be sown, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
Sow the seed 5mm deep keep warm & moist but not wet.
Germination should occur and the leaf appears in 10-21 days @ 18-22C.
General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they are discarded.
Images Copyright Australian Seed.
