sturt's desert pea

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a beautiful creeper, Clianthus dampieri, Cunn., N.O. Leguminosae,which will only grow in very dry, sandy soil. It is sometimescalled Lobster's Claw, from its clusters of brilliantscarlet flowers with black-purple centres, like a lobster'sclaw. Called also Glory Pea (q.v.).See Clianthus.

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discoveryand Exploration of Australia,' vol. i. p. 29:

«Amongst which appears the beautiful Clianthus, known to thecolonists as Sturt's desert pea.»

[Footnote]: «Woodward in `Dampier's Voyages,' vol. iii. cap. 4,pl. 2. The plant is there called ColuteaNovae-Hollandiae. Its name now is ClianthusDampieri. R. Brown proposed the name of Eremocharis, from the Greek 'eraemos, desert.»

[Dampier's voyage was made in 1699, and the book publishedin 1703. Mr. Woodward contributed notes on the plants broughthome by Dampier.]

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

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