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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|familia=Fabaceae
|familia=Fabaceae
|genus=Swainsona
|genus=Swainsona
|species=formosa
|species=formosa
|common_name=Glory pea, Sturt's desert pea
|common_name=Glory pea, Sturt's desert pea
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=11
|max_zone=11
|image=Upload.png
|image=Sturts desert pea.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
}}
}}
'''Sturt pea''', '''''Swainsona formosa''''', is an [[Australia]]n plant in the genus ''[[Swainsona]]'', named after English botanist [[Isaac Swainson]], famous for its distinctive blood-red leaf-like flowers, each with a bulbous black centre, or "boss". It is one of Australia's best known [[wildflowers]]. It is native to the [[arid]] regions of central and north-western Australia, and its range extends into all mainland Australian states with the exception of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].<ref name=anbg>{{cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/sa.emblem.html|title=Sturt's Desert Pea - Floral Emblem of South Australia|publisher=Australian National Herbarium|author=Anne Boden|accessdate=2009-07-20}}</ref>
Sturt pea is a member of [[Fabaceae]], subfamily [[Faboideae]]. It has pinnate, grey-green leaves which are arranged spirally on the main axis of the plant, and in two opposite rows (distichous) on lateral stems. Its flowers are so different from its relatives that it is almost unrecognisable as a member of the pea family. The flowers are about 9 centimetres in length and grow in clusters of around half a dozen on thick vertical stalks ([[Peduncle (botany)|peduncle]]s), which spring up every 10-15 centimetres along the prostrate stems, which may be up to 2 metres in length. The sexual organs, enclosed by the keel, comprise 10 [[stamens]], of which 9 are joined and 1 is free, and an [[ovary]] topped by a [[Gynoecium|style]] upon which is located the stigma which receives pollen during fertilisation.
The plant flowers from spring to summer, particularly after rain. There is a natural pure white form, as well as [[Hybrid (biology)|hybridised]] varieties which can have flowers ranging from blood scarlet, to pink and even pale cream, with variously coloured central bosses. Several tricolour variants have been recorded, including the cultivars ''marginata'' (white keel with red margin, red flag and purple-black boss), ''tricolour'' (white keel, red flag, pink boss), and ''elegans'' (white flag and keel, both with red margins). Flowers are bird-pollinated in the wild.<ref name="Symon and Jusaitis" />
The fruit is a [[legume]], about 5 centimetres long, and each yields 50 or more flat, kidney-shaped seeds at maturity
Most forms of the plant are low-growing or prostrate, however in the [[Pilbara]] region of north-western Australia varieties growing as tall as 2 [[metre]]s have been observed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/s-formos.html|work=Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) - ANPSA|title=Swainsona formosa|date=1 March 2008|accessdate=2009-07-20}}</ref>
Generally considered to be a short-lived [[Annual plant|annual]], it has been known to persist as a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] if conditions are favourable. If the roots are left undisturbed, flowering may resume in the next season.
It is well adapted to life as a desert plant. The small seeds have a long viability, and can germinate after many years. Seeds have a hard seed coat, which protects them from harsh arid environments until the next rainfall, but inhibits germination in normal domestic environments. Growers can overcome this dormancy either by nicking the seed coat away from the 'eye' of the seed, by rubbing the seed gently between pieces of sandpaper, or by placing the seed in hot (just off-boiling) water and leaving it to soak overnight.<ref name="Symon and Jusaitis" />
Once germinated, seedlings quickly establish a deep [[taproot]], vital for desert survival. This means that if domestically grown, they should either be planted in their intended final location, transplanted as soon as possible after germination, or grafted as a seedling on to a different root such as the [[bladder senna]], ''Colutea arborescens''. They do not tolerate disturbance of their roots but, once established in well-drained soil, require little and infrequent watering, and can withstand extreme heat and sunshine, as well as light frosts.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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<gallery perrow=5>
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