Sturt’s Desert Pea
Swainsona formosa
Floral Emblem of South Australia
Sturt’s Desert Pea, Swainsona formosa, the floral emblem of South Australia.
Collected by William Dampier in 1699 on Rosemary Island.
Captain Charles Sturt noted Swainsona formosa in 1844 while exploring between Adelaide and central Australia. The common name, Sturt’s Desert Pea, commemorates the explorer of Australia.