Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Hardenbergia violacea (Schneev.) Stearn

Evergreen scrambling shrub with simple leaves, cordate to lance-shaped, and axillary racemes of purple to violet, occasionally white, pea-like flowers with a yellow basal spot.  [RHSD, Hortus, FNSW].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The present species is an elegant climbing shrub, with rich violet coloured blossoms, which are highly ornamental during the spring months.’  [LBC no.758/1823]. 

‘Except in the Nursery of Messrs. Barr and Brooke […] we have not observed Kennedia ovata in any collections about town, nor have we found that it has been elsewhere described.  The flower resembles that of Kennedya monophylla of Hortus Kewensis, the Glycine bimaculata of this work (No. 262); and like that it has simple leaves, but of quite a different form, being broad-ovate, somewhat acuminate, and terminated with a small mucro.’  [BM t.2169/1820]. 

Also BR f.1336 as Kennedya monophylla.  Introduced to Britain in 1790.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Certainly grown by 1853 as plants were sent to the Sydney Botanic Garden in that year.  [RBGS AB].

Notes

Published Nov 19, 2009 - 03:49 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2010 - 12:17 PM

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Figured is a wiry stem, ovate leaves and small purple pea-like flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.2169, 1820.

Hardenbergia violacea (Schneev.) Stearn | BM t.2169/1820 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

Australia
Synonyms
  • Hardenbergia monophylla (Vent.) Benth.
  • Kennedya monophylla Vent.
  • Kennedya ovata Sims
  • Glycine monophylla (Vent.) J.L.Parm.
  • Glycine violacea Schneev.
  • Glycine bimaculata Curt.
Common Name

False sarsaparilla, Purple coral pea
Name in the Camden Park Record

Hardenbergia monophylloda 
Confidence level high