Plant · GBIF taxon 3191402
Sweet Pea Shrub
Polygala myrtifoliaAlso known as Myrtle-Leaf Milkwort, September Bush
Sweet pea shrub produces striking purple flowers with a distinctive feathery brush on the lower petal. This fast-growing evergreen shrub thrives across coastal dunes and rocky slopes, acting as a pioneer after bushfires. Dense foliage and prolonged blooming make it an important nectar source for native bees and sunbirds.
EvergreenCoastalFlowering Shrub
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars
- Browsing Antelopes
ThreatsHabitat loss in native range, potential invasiveness outside native range
HabitatsCoastal dunes, fynbos, forest margins, rocky slopes, riparian edges
Life span10 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderFabales
- FamilyPolygalaceae
- GenusPolygala
- SpeciesPolygala myrtifolia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for oval, myrtle-like leaves and purple flowers with a white feathery crest on the lower petal.
- Garden Care: Prune lightly after peak flowering to maintain a bushy shape and encourage new growth.
- Observation: Watch for large bees triggering the spring-loaded flower mechanism during pollination.
Pollinator 
Frequent Visitor (c) Steve Garvie, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-saClose Relative 
Close Relative (c) J Straka, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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