Kennedia nigricans Lindl.

Taxonomic Identity

Kennedia nigricans, a species formally described as Kennedia nigricans Lindl., is a trailing or twining shrub, or a vigorous woody climber.

Growth Size

It typically climbs to a maximum height of 4 m (13 ft) and spreads up to 6 m (20 ft).

Leaf General Characteristics

Its leaves are dark green, trifoliate, and measure 70–180 mm (2.8–7.1 in) in length.

Petiole and Stipule Features

They grow from a petiole that is 10–30 mm (0.39–1.18 in) long, with 4.5 mm (0.18 in) long stipules at the leaf base.

Terminal Leaflet Characteristics

The leaflets have an egg shape; the terminal leaflet is 30–90 mm (1.2–3.5 in) long and 20–70 mm (0.79–2.76 in) wide, growing on a petiolule up to 17 mm (0.67 in) long.

Lateral Leaflet Characteristics

The lateral leaflets are smaller and grow on a short petiolule.

Flower Inflorescence Structure

The flowers are arranged in groups of up to fifteen, borne on a peduncle 20–130 mm (0.79–5.12 in) long.

Individual Flower Dimensions

Each individual flower is 30–33 mm (1.2–1.3 in) long, and sits on a pedicel 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) long.

Sepal Characteristics

The five sepals are 12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) long, with triangular or lance-shaped teeth around 4 mm (0.16 in) long; the upper two sepals are joined along most of their length.

Petal Coloration

Petals range in color from violet or purple to almost black, combined with yellow-orange.

Petal Dimensions

The standard petal is 22–27 mm (0.87–1.06 in) long, the wing petals are 28–30 mm (1.1–1.2 in) long, and the keel petal is about 27 mm (1.1 in) long.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs between July and November, and the fruit produced is a pod 46–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) long.

Native Distribution and Habitat

In its native range, black kennedia grows on coastal dunes, along creek margins, and on flats in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.

Naturalised Range

It is also naturalised in other parts of Western Australia, as well as in South Australia and Tasmania.

Cultivar Registration

In horticulture, a cultivar named Kennedia nigricans 'Minstrel' was registered with the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority by Goldup Nursery of Mount Evelyn, Victoria in September 1985.

Cultivar Characteristics

This cultivar was selected from a batch of seedlings in 1983, and has a pale, almost white coloration in place of the species' typical yellow marking.

Horticultural Uses

This vigorous climbing species is widely used in horticulture to cover embankments or unsightly structures.

Cultivation Requirements

It adapts to a wide range of soil types, and prefers a sunny growing position.

Stress Tolerance

It is drought resistant and has some degree of frost tolerance.

Species Propagation

The species can be propagated from scarified seed or cuttings taken from semi-mature growth.

Cultivar Propagation

The cultivar must be propagated from cuttings to retain its true characteristics.