Kennedia prostrata
| Running postman | |
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| Kennedia prostrata in Drummond Nature Reserve. | |
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| (unranked): | |
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| Species: | K. prostrata
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| Binomial name | |
| Kennedia prostrata | |
Kennedia prostrata, commonly known as running postman or scarlet runner, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, endemic to Australia.
It is a prostrate or twining shrub which can spread to a width of 1.5 metres and has light green leaves that comprise 3 rounded leaflets with undulating edges.[1] Scarlet pea flowers are produced singly or in pairs between April and November in its native range.[2] These are followed by cylindrical pods that are 3 to 5 cm in length.[3]
The species was first formally described by Robert Brown in 1812 in Hortus Kewensis.[4]
It is native to the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.[3]
Cultivation
The species is naturally adapted to sandy or lighter soils and prefers a sunny position.[1][2] It is resistant to drought and has some frost tolerance. Plants can be propagated by scarified seed.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Bodkin, Frances (1991). Encyclopaedia Botanica. Australia: Cornstalk Publishing. ISBN 0207150648.
- ^ a b "Kennedia prostrata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b "Kennedia prostrata". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
- ^ "Kennedia prostrata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 2008-09-24.