Hardenbergia violacea

(Schneev.) Stearn

Purple coralpea, False Sarsaparilla

Fabaceae Edible: Leaves - tea, Roots Potential hazards — see below 12,557 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Hardenbergia violacea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is known in Australia by the common names false sarsaparilla, purple coral pea, and waraburra. Elsewhere it is also called purple twining-pea, vine-lilac, and wild sarsaparilla. It is a prostrate or climbing subshrub with egg-shaped to narrow lance-shaped leaves and racemes of mostly purple flowers.

Description

A climbing or scrambling plant. It can form large dome shaped mats. It can be 0.9-3 m high and 0.9-2 m wide. The stems are wiry and 2 m long. The leaves are leathery and dark green. The are oval or narrow and have heavy veins. The leaves are 3-10 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The flowers are mauve or purple and pea-shaped. They are 1 cm across. They occur in stalked branches in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a pod which is oblong and 5 cm long.

Edible Uses

Boiling the leaves produces a slightly sweet and reasonably pleasant drink. The roots were also reportedly used for the same purpose at one time.

Traditional Uses

A sweet drink can be made by boiling the leaves in water.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The foliage is reputed to cause colic in horses.

Distribution

It grows in temperate places. It can grow in subtropical and semiarid places. It needs well drained soils. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It can stand heavy frosts. It often occurs along disturbed roadsides. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Tasmania Herbarium. Melbourne Botanical garden. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Australia*, New Guinea, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Treating the seed with hot water improves germination. It can be pruned after flowering.

Propagation

Scarify the seed or pre-soak in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Sow in spring in a warm greenhouse at 20°C. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and grow on under glass for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and provide some protection from the cold during the first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August and rooted in a frame. Tip cuttings taken in late spring can also be rooted in moist sand in a frame.

Other Uses

A grey-blue dye is obtained from the flowers. The plant also fixes nitrogen.

Synonyms

Glycine violacea Schneev.Hardenbergia monophylla

Also Known As

Happy wanderer

References (30)

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Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 106
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 176
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 672

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