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In Bloom

Psoralea Pinnatas can be found in the South Africa Garden (Beds 26a, 26b and 26d).

Location Scientific Name Psoralea pinnata Common Name Blue Pea, African Scurfpea Family Fabaceae Plant Type Evergreen shrubs or small trees Environment Flowers best in full sun coastside, filtered shade inland. Will not survive prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing. Prune out interior branches to keep it looking its best. Bloom Clusters of lilac blue "pea" flowers on soft, needle-like branches. The fragrance reminds some of grape soda. Each pod produces only one seed. Uses Beautiful evergreen shrub for planting under large trees or near paths where its scent can be enjoyed. Good bee forage plant. More Info South African Plant Diversity Profile Contributor: Fred Bové

Psoralea pinnata is a South African shrub which, at a distance, seems covered with dainty blue moths. Its flower structure is described as, "papillonaceous" or butterfly-like, and is similar to that of a sweet pea: five fused petals, the tiny blue banner standing vertically with two side wings; the keel, two fused pale white petals, lying horizontally. If you part the keel with your finger, you will find the stigma and ten stamens with their golden pollen concealed inside. Nature reveals in these flowers one of its many intricate ways of attracting pollinators, making sure they carry pollen away with them to other Psoraleas.

The leaves are narrow and needle-like, very green and slightly aromatic, and the blossoms give off a sweet cloying fragrance. Psoralea needs full sun, well-drained soil, and little water. It grows thick and bushy and can reach 12 feet in height. It was introduced to England from South Africa as early as 1600.

Three-fourths of the plants in the Cape Province of South Africa are endemic, meaning they occur nowhere else. More than 8,550 species have been counted, twice as many as in California, which is four times larger. Its climate is mediterranean like our own, permitting many South African plants to prosper here.

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Magnolia campbellii January	Magnolia denudata February	Magnolia x veitchii March
Iris douglasiana April

Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku' January	Magnolia campbellii 'Darjeeling' February	Bomarea spp. March
Rhododendron occidentale April	Polystichum munitum May	x Chiranthofremontia lenzii June
Salvia leucantha July	Hydrangea seemannii August	Wollemia nobilis September
Cyathea cooperi October	Pinus radiata November	Correa spp. December

Garrya elliptica January	Magnolia x soulangeana February	Senecio glastifolius March
Ribes spp. April	Oxalis oregana May	Calandrinia grandiflora June
Taxus baccata July	Romneya coulteri August	Passiflora parritae September
Malvaviscus arboreus October	Monterey Cypress November	Aloe arborescens December

Aloe plicatilis January	Banksia seminuda February	Zantedeschia aethiopica March
Magnolia laevifolia April	Araucaria heterophylla May	Toxicodendron diversilobum June
Clarkia sp. July	Agapanthus August	Brugmansia September
Cedrus spp. October	Protea repens November	Camellia sinensis December

Thujopsis dolabrata January	Gordonia longicarpa February	Rojasianthe superba March
Echium spp. April	Iris douglasiana May	Digitalis purpurea June
Felicia amelloides July	Ceroxylon quindiuense August	Amaryllis belladonna September
Ginkgo biloba October	Acer morrisonense November	Ilex aquifolium December

Picea sitchensis January	Telanthophora grandifolia February	Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf' March
Leptospermum April	Salvia gesneraeflora May	Lavandula spp. June
Pelargonium July	Fuchsia paniculata August	Luma apiculata September
Luculia October	Arbutus unedo November	Cycad December

Restionaceae January	Hellebores February	Ceanothus March
Rhododendron April	Psoralea pinnata May	Fremontodendron californicum June
Leucadendron argenteum July	Crocosmia August	Gunnera tinctoria September
Pellaea rotundifolia October	Fuchsia boliviana November	Erica canaliculata December

Magnolia campbelli January	Magnolia denudata February	Camellia March
Geranium maderense April	Acmena smithii May	Eschscholzia californica June
Dendromecon harfordii July	Romneya coulteri August	Eupatorium purpureum September
Epilobium canum sp. October	Grevillea spp. November	Drimys winteri December