Don't let the name fool you as, even though the flowers and foliage are attractive, all parts of the plant are very toxic.
This does not seem to deter the birds, and the plants are especially appealing to Australian rosellas.
A true Aussie
Gastrolobium is a genus with about 60 species, with almost all of them found in Western Australia. Gastrolobium celsianum is endemic to the southwestern part of Western Australia and is often found growing on gravel or sandy soils as it needs good drainage, but it is also near watercourses so the plants don't dry out.
> Flowers from August to November.
> Needs full sun to partial shade.
> Soil needs to be free draining but remain moist.
> Grows to about 1m with spread of up to 3m.
Gastrolobium celsianum can be seen in the Geographic Collection Australian Borders at the entrance to the aviary near the upper Botanic Garden car park.
- Dylan Norfield is the Geographic and Arboretum Collection Curator at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
