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Podalyria rotundifolia Seeds
Sweetpea Bush
Podalyria is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. Members of this genus are often, yet mistakenly, placed in the Sophora genus. The genus Podalyria was named after Podalirius, the son of Asklepios, who was the Roman god of medicine. This is a genus of about 25 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees that occur naturally in the winter rainfall areas of southern Africa. They have oval leaves 35mm long covered with very fine hairs that create a silvery effect. The flowering season varies, but usually starts in very early spring when clusters of mauve or white sweet-pea scented flowers open. The flowers are very attractive to many insects, particularly carpenter bees, and nectar-feeders like honey bees, butterflies and hoverflies. The large, heavy carpenter bees land on the petals and their weight opens the flower, giving them access to the pollen and nectar, whereas the smaller, lighter, honey bee goes to the opening at the base of the petals, gaining access to the nectar. The insects that are attracted by the flowers attract insect-eating birds like the Cape Batis. Plant in light, well-drained soil in full sun; these plants thrive in coastal conditions. Propagate from seed in spring or autumn. A light trimming after flowering keeps the bushes compact. Podalyria rotundifolia is synonymously known as Podalyria amoena, Podalyria calyptrata var. villosa, Podalyria canescens, Sophora rotundifolia, Sophora rotundifolia var. tomentosa. This is a South African endemic species that occurs in the Western Cape Province from the Cederberg Mountains near Clanwilliam, south-eastwards to the Hottentots Holland and Langeberg mountains growing among Fynbos along streambanks in rocky, sandy soil.
