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Kennedia nigricans
(Black Coral Pea)
This climber needs room to grow - lots of room to grow. It can grow five or six metres in all directions and it grows very fast.
From August to December Kennedia nigricans produces distinctive yellow and black pea-flowers. It was suggested to Richmond AFL Club some time back that this vigorous plant become the Club's floral emblem. Never did get a response!
Kennedias usually have trifoliate leaves (three leaflets per leaf), but K. nigricans can be one to three foliate. The leaves are olive-green, usually quite ovate (wide oval) and hairy along the vein.
Kennedia nigricans is found naturally in the south of Western Australia in sandy soils in woodland or heathland, usually close to the coast.
It needs fairly well-drained soils, although it does seem to be quite tolerant of heavier soils in Melbourne and tolerates slightly alkaline soils too.
K. nigricans prefers full sun but doesn't mind dappled shade. It will not tolerate heavy frost, but will endure light frost.
The Kennedia genus is a member of the Fabaceae Family (hence the pea flowers). The genus contains 16 species and all are endemic to Australia. Mostly they are all vigorous climbers that can also be used as groundcovers. Kennedia nigricans is the most vigorous of them all. (For a more demure groundcover, Kennedia prostrata is a beauty.)
Don't Underestimate It
People often underestimate its growth, so beware! It's not for a fence, which it can pull down, or other light structures, and it will strangle other plants if given a chance to grow over and through them.
It's ideal for embankments, covering garages, and it is brilliant for screening as long as the structure is sturdy.
Nectar feeding birds love kennedias.
Propagation
The seed needs to be scarified (the outer hard coat is sandpapered or lightly scored) prior to germination. Seed can take from 10 to 50 days to germinate. Cuttings of firm young growth strike readily.
Information sources:
Elliot, W.R. & Jones, D.L., 1993, Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, published by Lothian.
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M., 2003, Australian Native Plants, 5th Edition, published by Reed NewHolland.
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You may not use the information for any other purpose without the express written permission of SGA.