Kennedia nigricans

Kennedia nigricans
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
Lindl.
Synonyms

Caulinia nigricans (Lindl.) F.Muell.

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.

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. ^ a b Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207154600. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Bodkin, Frances (1991). Encyclopaedia Botanica. Australia: Cornstalk Publishing. ISBN 0207150648. 
  3. ^ a b "Kennedia nigricans". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4042. 
  4. ^ "Kennedia nigricans". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?TAXON_NAME=KENNEDIA+NIGRICANS. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
  5. ^ a b "Kennedia 'Minstrel'". Australian Cultivar Registration Authority. http://www.anbg.gov.au/acra/descriptions/acc369.html. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 


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