Chorizema cordatum, known as the heart-leaf flame pea or Australian flame pea, is a flowering plant of the pea family, endemic to gravelly or loamy soils in eucalyptus forests, in the moist south western parts of Western Australia.
The Noongar peoples know the plant as 'kaly'. The genus name is said to mean choros, a dance and zena, a drink and was named by La Billardiere in 1799. La Billardiere was a French botanist and on an expedition in Western Australia his party ran low on water.
Fortuitously they came across a waterhole in the nick of time and danced for joy. A Chorizema was growing close by and was named in recognition of finding water and dancing for joy. This of course may be an apocryphal story with no basis in fact.
The 'Heart-leaf Flame Pea' is a colourful small shrub that would be at home in cottage gardens and rockeries. Can grow to 1.2x1.2m. Prefers a spot in dappled light. Too much sun makes the flowers lose their vividness.