Mountain pea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain pea |
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| G. leakeanum on Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park. | |
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G. leakeanum
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| Gastrolobium leakeanum J.Drumm.
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The mountain pea (Gastrolobium leakeanum) is a special plant that belongs to the pea family, called Fabaceae. It's found only in a small part of Western Australia, which means it's endemic to that area.
This plant is usually a shrub that can grow up to about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall. You can spot it by its beautiful red, orange, or yellow flowers that bloom in spring.
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What Does the Mountain Pea Look Like?
The mountain pea is a shrub that can stand upright or spread out. Early descriptions by a botanist named James Drummond said it could grow quite tall, sometimes up to 3.7 to 4.6 meters (12 to 15 feet)!
Its leaves are about 76 millimeters (3 inches) long and 51 millimeters (2 inches) wide. The plant produces clusters of large, deep scarlet (bright red) flowers. These flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem.
How Scientists Named the Mountain Pea
Gastrolobium leakeanum is one of about 100 different types of plants in the Gastrolobium group. Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and organize all living things.
The mountain pea was first officially described by a botanist named James Drummond. He wrote about it in a newspaper called The Inquirer in Perth, Western Australia, back in 1848. Later, its description was also published in a science journal.
The second part of its scientific name, leakeanum, is a special tribute. It was named after a person named Mr. George Leake. He was an important person in Perth society, and his wife, Georgiana Leake, was an artist who drew plants.
Where Does the Mountain Pea Live?
The mountain pea likes to grow in specific places. You can find it on mountaintops, along ridges, and on steep slopes. It prefers certain types of soil, like sandy clay or loam that sits over quartzite rock. It can also grow in stony soils.
This plant is found in two main natural areas of Western Australia: the Esperance Plains and the Mallee regions.
Protecting the Mountain Pea
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps an eye on the mountain pea. They have classified it as "Priority Two". This means that not much is known about the plant, and it's only found in a few places.
Scientists have also found that the mountain pea can get sick from a fungus called Phytophthora cinnamomi. This fungus can be a threat to the plant's survival.
Why Isn't the Mountain Pea Grown in Gardens?
Even though the mountain pea has pretty flowers, it's usually not grown in people's gardens. This is because, like other plants in its group, its leaves contain poisonous parts. This makes it unsafe for animals (and people) to eat.
