Healthy Parrot Pea

Dillwynia retorta

“A small, spreading shrub to 1m high”. – NPOS p.78 While revisiting the Prickly Moses I was reminded of a plant that I’d been unable to identify at the time. After some searching I think it’s a Healthy Parrot Pea, Dillwynia retorta. I wish I’d kept notes on exactly where it was found but It’s clear it’s a pea of some sort from the non symmetrical yellow flowers. The short prickly leaves narrow it down, but it’s the twist in the leaves that is observable is some parts of the photo that make me think it’s the Healthy Parrot Pea.

Healthy Parrot Pea – It’s hard to see but if you bring up the full size image there are some twisted leaves visible

The Healthy Parrot Pea is one of the commonest pea shrubs in the Sydney area. It’s found in heath or woodland growing on sandstone. It’s leaves are about 10mm long, prickly and with a twist in them. Flowers are non symmetrical, yellow with some red parts ( hard to see in my photo ) This one was growing next to and intertwined with a Prickly Moses, it was only that they had different flowers that made me realise they were 2 different plants.

Resources and references

• PlantNET
• Friends of Lane Cove National Park

• Bush Pea
• Dillwynia Retorta
• Eggs and Bacon
• Garigal
• Healthy Parrot Pea
• Native