Petalostylis cassioides

(F. Muell.) Symon

Fabaceae Edible: Lerp 246 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A small shrub. It grows 0.7-2 m high and 1-2.5 m wide. The young growth is hairy. The leaves are about 15 cm long. They have leaflets along the stalk. There are 11-80 leaflets and they are 0.3-1.8 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are broadly oval and green. The flowers are 3 cm across and yellow with red markings. The pods are flat and brown and 2.5 cm long by 0.8 cm wide.

Edible Uses

Lerp is eaten from this plant.

Distribution

It grows in arid and semi-arid regions in Australia. They are on gravelly and sandy soils. The soils need good drainage. They can tolerate frost.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed or cuttings.

Notes

There are 2-3 Petalostylis species. They grow in Australia in semiarid regions. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

References (5)

Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 190
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 236
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 186
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 190
Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 350