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Hardenbergia violacea - (Schneev.)Stearn.

Common Name Coral Pea, Purple Coral Pea, False Sarsaparilla, Vine Lilac
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Climbs over low bushes by the coast and to nearby mountains[1] in open forests and on heaths[265].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Hardenbergia violacea Coral Pea, Purple Coral Pea, False Sarsaparilla, Vine Lilac


Hardenbergia violacea Coral Pea, Purple Coral Pea, False Sarsaparilla, Vine Lilac
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Purple. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late winter, Mid spring. Form: Prostrate.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Hardenbergia violacea is an evergreen Climber growing to 2 m (6ft 7in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. monophylla. Kennedya monophylla. K. ovata.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Drink

The boiled leaves produce a slightly sweet and reasonably pleasant drink[144, 183]. At one time the roots were also reportedly used for this purpose[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A grey-blue dye is obtained from the flowers[156].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Container, Specimen. Requires a moist well-drained lime-free soil in sun or light shade[200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures that occasionally fall to about -5°c[260]. It succeeds on a wall in Cornwall, mixing well with Passiflora species through which it intertwines[1, 166]. Plants from the Tablelands in Australia tolerate at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157]. This cannot be translated directly to British gardens, however, due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters[K]. Any pruning is best carried out immediately after the plant has flowered[219]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Scarify the seed or pre-soak it for 24 hours in warm water[157, 200]. Sow spring in a warm greenhouse at 20°c[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least its first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Tip cuttings, taken in late spring, in moist sand in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Schneev.)Stearn.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

chrissy   Sun Apr 22 2007

Hardenbergia violacea grows naturally in the bush where I live here on the lower Eyre Peninusla, South Australia. The ground is predominantly limestone, yet it seems to flourish.

james   Fri May 25 2007

Heart Garden Nursery growing notes etc

Lists many Australia edibles   Jul 25 2014 12:00AM

I tried the drink from the boiled leaves, not sure it is sweet at all, maybe slightly. Passable flavor, unlikelt to become addictive. Likely drunk for it's reputed medicinal virtues as the Cribbs say. The flowers are reported edible too (Stephanie Haslam, Noosa's Native Plants 2011(&website same name)). They are smallish but plentiful & a little tough with a faint bean flavor. Think I'll be keeping it. -David Nicholls, NZ
Noosa's Native Plants

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