Dillwynia retorta (Egg and Bacon Pea / Twist-leaf Dillwynia)

Dillwynia retorta is an upright Australian native shrub, typically growing up to 3 m high (sometimes prostrate in certain habitats) and spreading over 1 m wide. Its stems are covered with short hairs, and the linear, spirally twisted leaves are crowded along the stems, smooth, soft to touch, and about 15 mm long by 1 mm wide.

This species is found naturally in New South Wales and Queensland, ranging from the ACT northwards along the coast, through Sydney and the Blue Mountains, to scattered inland and coastal patches as far as Fraser Island and Carnarvon National Park. It thrives in heath, shrubland, dry sclerophyll woodland, and forest, usually on sandstone or sandy soils.

A member of the pea family, Dillwynia retorta produces characteristic papilionate (pea-shaped) flowers in yellow, orange/yellow, or red and yellow hues. Flowers are usually arranged singly or in small groups in leaf axils or at branchlet tips, with the upper two of five sepal lobes fused into a single lip. The standard petal is wider than high, and the keel matches the wings in length, with tiny bracts and bracteoles often present.