LEPTOSEMA chambersii

Low growing caespitose shrub typically around 40 cm in height with prickly stems and leaves which are reduced to small scales.
Red pea flowers occur around the base of the plant at ground level from May to Dec or Jan.

Occurring naturally on the sandplains and sand dunes throughout the inland regions of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland.

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, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C.

Leptosea seeds germinate readily, however they do have a hard outer coating which is impervious to water and generally germination will normally not occur unless the seed is scarified by abrading or pre-treated with boiling water first.

1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
2. The swollen seed can then be sown, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow 1-2 mm deep, keep warm & moist but not wet.
4. Germination should occur 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 were discarded.