Petalostylis labicheoides – Butterfly Bush

Author: Jan Sked

Published: Journal March 2022

Butterfly Bush or Slender Petalostylis

Pronounced: pet-al-oh-STY-lis la-beech-ee-OID-eez
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Derivation: Petalostylis, from the Greek petalon, petal, and stylos, style, referring to the petal-like style in the centre of the flower, which is broadly winged and boat-shaped and resembles a petal; labicheoides, meaning similar to the genus Labichea.

This is a small to medium shrub to slightly more than two metres high with slender stems that branch from a short woody base close to ground level. Leaves are pinnate, 2-6cm long, with 5-15 lance-shaped leaflets.

It flowers over a long period from March to December with sweetly fragrant, bright yellow flowers with reddish markings. These flowers are about 4cm across and are produced in short racemes of I to 5 flowers. The flowers attract butterflies, hence its
common name.

Flowers are followed by flat, obliquely oblong pods, 2-5cm long, containing 4 to 6 shiny, flattish, mottled brown seeds.

Petalostylis labicheoides is native to inland areas of Australia, mainly Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, where it grows on sand plains, dune fields, stony creek beds and rocky ridges and hills.

This very attractive shrub requires a warm sunny position in the garden. It is drought tolerant and may become partially deciduous in winter.

Responds well to pruning.

Propagation is from treated seed or cuttings of firm new growth. Seed should have just boiled water poured over them and be left to soak for up to 24 hours. Then plant in a well-drained mix and place in a full sun position.