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Black Coral Pea Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Black Coral Pea

Kennedia nigricans

Bold contrast.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Kennedia
Native to
Western Australia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
evergreen vine
Height
10-20 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
Sandy, well-drained soil
Water
low
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The flowers are a dramatic combination of near-black petals with a contrasting bright yellow blotch.
  • It is one of the few plants in the world that produces truly dark, almost black flowers naturally.
  • The genus was named after John Kennedy, a nurseryman who co-owned a famous London nursery in the 1800s.
  • As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic bacteria in its root nodules.
  • Black coral pea is highly attractive to honeyeater birds, which pollinate the flowers while feeding on nectar.

Color meanings

0

uniqueness

1

striking beauty

Uses

  • ornamental vine
  • trellis cover
  • soil improvement