ploegbreker
umnsinsana
Low-growing, deciduous shrublet (30 – 60 cm) with enormous underground rootstock. Annual shoots with rough, hairy, compound leaves (three leaflets) and large, recurved prickles. Showy, upright scarlet flowers on long stalks in late spring (Oct – Jan). Smooth black pods with orange-red seeds. Survives fire and drought by resprouting from rootstock.
Insects:Flowers pollinated by insects and sunbirds.
Wildlife:Rootstock deters grazers; leaves and stems not palatable.
Soil:Not a nitrogen fixer.
Ecosystem Services:Survives fire and drought, stabilizes soil, supports pollinators.
Showy, scarlet flowers attract insects and sunbirds; black pods with orange-red seeds, often attacked by insects.
Flowers attract sunbirds.
Soak seeds in boiling water overnight, sow in spring in loam/bark mix, keep moist; germinates in 2 – 3 weeks.
Not available
Underground parts smoked for asthma; rootstock extremely tough, damages ploughs.
