Shrub to 2.5 m tall; indumentum grey to tan-grey, red-brown at apices, the hairs somewhat spreading. (Flora of Australia)

The combination of large leaves, the indumentum of spreading hairs and the rusty-red coloration of the apex of branchlets and of bracts and bracteoles makes Hovea planifolia readily distinguishable. (Flora of Australia)

Hovea planifolia has been used in local coal mine rehabilitation by Queensland Native Seeds however natural seed production is very limited. Its natural habitat here is very poor rocky substrates in Eucalyptus woodland where competition for scarce water resources is extreme. Flowering occurs in late Winter and Winter rain is far less usual in Queensland than more southern latitudes. Subsequently, the successful seeding events are seldom. In general, there are far more opportunities to collect seed from nitrogen fixing understory plants in NSW where Winter rain is more regular. An obvious solution in Queensland is to supplement or replace wild plants with cultivated seed crops.

"Grows predominantly in sandy soils or on sandstone outcrops in forest and woodland; also on rhyolite in heathland." (Flora of Australia)

Successful collection of Hovea seed requires careful monitoring and maturity testing. As maturity occurs, large portions of seed crops may be forcefully ejected from their capsules on hot, sunny days leaving them in an uneconomic state. It is optimal to harvest seed sometime within several days prior to such an event.

Be sure not to cut too much Hovea seed from one stand of plants. In areas with infrequent crops of seed it may be best to avoid collection altogether or maybe to one-off harvests. Leave a portion of seed behind to ensure the soil seed bank can replenish. Hovea planifolia is often destroyed by fire and replaces itself from seed.

When drying fruiting material cut from Hovea, do not spread material too thickly which will slow down dehiscence underneath. Place tarps in hot sun or clear film tunnelhouse and cover with a very light gauge of shadecloth. This will prevent ejected seed from being lost to the surrounding ground.

Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. [Date Accessed: Sept 20, 2022] http://www.ausflora.org.au

https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Hovea%20planifolia

https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2919616