This leafless shrub has spreading slender grey green strap-like overlapping stems that form a dense mounded to prostrate habit. It produces solitary upturned large scarlet pea-shaped flowers along the stems during spring followed by seed pods.

Hardiness zones 9 to 10

Leptosema aphyllumis naturally found in Western Australia in the south-west and Eremaean Province growing on stony ridges, scrubland and sandplains on the coast and inland north and south of Geraldton.

It prefers an open to expose a sunny position and grows in very well drained, poor sandy gravelly soil that is commonly associated with granite outcrops and is drought tolerant but frost tender.

Ribbon Pea is grown for its spreading habit and its flowers. It is planted in small or arid gardens as a groundcover or as a spill-over above retaining walls. It is also planted in sunny rockeries or used in patio pots, planter boxes and roof gardens. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in 2- 3 years. This hardy shrub is planted in gravel gardens or can be used in commercial landscapes requiring little care. It may be difficult to obtain outside its native region requiring a specialist nursery. ID 3319

Leptosema (LEP-toh-SEE-ma) aphyllum (a-FIL-um)

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)