This summer I will be adding more notes on interesting and new plants. To start, I want to introduce clianthus puniceas.
It’s a perennial bush in the legume family that can grow up to 8 feet tall. It’s native to the tropics and found growing in New Zealand.
It’s is usually referred to by it’s common names such as Parrot’s Beak, Lobster’s Claw, Glory Pea and White Heron.
I especially admire the clusters of blooms that dangle like jewelry off the branches. Photo from Annie’s Annuals.
According to Annie’s it is a fast growing plant. The blooms are filled with sweet nectar to attract birds and other pollinators. It can tolerate a range of soil and temperature down to 13 degrees. But I would be cautious about growing this in colder climates.
There is also the red variety too. The leaves are also pretty, they remind me of tamarind leaves. Photo from New Zealand Plants.
The Hebe Society (part of Royal Horticultural Society) from New Zealand had this info about the Parrot’s Beak:
“Clianthus puniceus ‘Albus’ (syn Clianthus puniceus ‘White Heron’) is a bushy shrub. The much-divided green leaves are 3–6 in (7.5–15 cm) long, typical of a member of the pea family. The flowers are creamy white, up to 3 in (7.5 cm) long, and are borne in groups of up to 20.”
The shrub blooms start to bloom in early summer. I think I need to plan a visit to Annie’s Annuals in the east bay soon. Photo from Annie’s Annuals.
10:22 pm on June 27th, 2010
I wonder if the flower is edible, made me think of Dork Care where you can steam it or put in soup.
10:34 pm on June 28th, 2010
There is a huge flowering tree out here in California that Laotians call Dork Care too. The leaves are the same, but it has thorns. The flowers grow in bunches like this, but look different. And it taste really good when steamed (as it’s sweet).