Kennedia nigricans

Kennedia nigricans (Black Kennedia or Black Coral Pea) is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.

Black Kennedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Phaseoleae
Genus:
Kennedia
Species:
K. nigricans
Binomial name
Kennedia nigricans
Synonyms

Caulinia nigricans (Lindl.) F.Muell.

It is a vigorous climber which can spread up to 6 metres in diameter or 4 metres in height and has dark green leaflets that are about 15 cm long.[1][2] Distinctive black and yellow pea flowers are produced between July and November in its native range.[2][3]

The species was first formally described as Kennedya nigricans by John Lindley in 1835 in Edward's Botanical Register, where it was also labelled as Dingy Flowered Kennedya.[4]

A cultivar known as Kennedia nigricans 'Minstrel' was registered with the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority by Goldup Nursery of Mount Evelyn, Victoria in September 1985. This cultivar was selected from a batch of seedlings in 1983 and has a pale colouration instead of the yellow, which appears almost white.[5]

Cultivation

This plant is noted for its vigour and can be used to cover embankments or unsightly structures.[1] The species is adapted to a range of soils and prefers a sunny position.[2][3] It is resistant to drought and has some frost tolerance.[2] The species can be propagated by scarified seed or cuttings of semi-mature growth, while the cultivar requires propagation from cuttings to remain true to type.[2][5]

References
  1. Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 978-0207154607.
  2. Bodkin, Frances (1991). Encyclopaedia Botanica. Australia: Cornstalk Publishing. ISBN 978-0207150647.
  3. "Kennedia nigricans". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  4. "Kennedia nigricans". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
  5. "Kennedia 'Minstrel'". Australian Cultivar Registration Authority. Retrieved 25 September 2008.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.