Practical
Plants

Hardenbergia violacea

Coral Pea

an evergreen member of the Hardenbergia genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Height
2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The boiled leaves produce a slightly sweet and reasonably pleasant drink[2][6]. At one time the roots were also reportedly used for this purpose[6].

Product or use
Drink

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A grey-blue dye is obtained from the flowers[3].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Climbs over low bushes by the coast and to nearby mountains[1] in open forests and on heaths[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Scarify the seed or pre-soak it for 24 hours in warm water[4][7]. Sow spring in a warm greenhouse at 20°c[7]. 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[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a moist well-drained lime-free soil in sun or light shade[7]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures that occasionally fall to about -5°c[9]. It succeeds on a wall in Cornwall, mixing well with Passiflora species through which it intertwines[1][5]. Plants from the Tablelands in Australia tolerate at least -7°c in Australian gardens[4]. 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[8]. 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[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

    ↩

  3. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8

    ↩

  4. Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

    ↩1↩2

  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩

  10. Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001

    ↩

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