CLIANTHUS

genus of flowering shrubs of the pea family (Fabaceae). Its two species, C. puniceus and C. formosus, are native to New Zealand and Australia, respectively. They grow to 12 m (36 feet) tall and in the spring bear brilliant red flowers (whence the name, from Greek, kleios, glory, and anthos, flower). The flowers, 7.510 cm (34 inches) or more long, are downward-turning with one standard, or upturned, petal. Leaves are pinnate, with one to two dozen short leaflets alternating along the stem. C. puniceus, the parrot's bill, or red kowhai, grows outdoors in warm, dry climates and sandy, well-drained soils. It can be trained as a vine to grow on a wall or trellis. The shoots are pruned once flowering is over. C. formosus, the glory pea, or Sturt's desert pea, is the floral emblem of South Australia. It does poorly away from its native semidesert environment. In less favourable climates it is grown in hanging baskets in sunny, well-ventilated greenhouses. Often it is grafted as a seedling onto the bladder senna (Colutea arborescens), a more vigorous shrub of the pea family. Its flowers are scarlet with large purple-black blotches at the base of the standard petal.