This shrub has slender woody stems that form an open-straggly appearance with dark green heart-shaped leathery leaves in opposite pairs. It has bright yellow pea-shaped flowers that appear singularly or in a small cluster during spring.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11 

Platylobium formosum is naturally found in Australia from south-eastern Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania growing in protected forests on the coast and in the adjoining mountains. 

It prefers a well drained moderately fertile sandstone or shale based soil in a sunny to semi shaded position and is drought and frost tolerant.

The Handsome Flat-pea is grown for its flowers and is planted in small gardens, bushland or gully settings. It is suitable for costal and mountain regions establishing in 2 to 3 years. It is also planted in rockeries or on embankments but may be difficult to obtain requiring a specialist’s nursery. ID 3009

Platylobium (plă-tee-LOB-ee-um) formosum (for-mo-SUM)

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)