Kennedia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kennedia |
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| Kennedia prostrata Drummond Nature Reserve |
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Phaseoleae
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Kennediinae
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Kennedia
Vent.
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Kennedia is a group of 16 different plant species. All of these plants grow naturally in Australia. They are evergreen climbing plants, which means they stay green all year round and grow upwards on other plants or structures.
These plants usually have leaves made of three smaller leaflets. Their flowers look like peas and come in many colors. You can find them in shades from pink to dark red, and from yellow to black. The genus was named by a person called Étienne Pierre Ventenat. He named it after John Kennedy, who was a partner in a famous plant nursery business. This business was called Lee and Kennedy and was located in Hammersmith, London. Even though you might sometimes see it spelled Kennedya, the correct spelling is Kennedia.
Contents
Types of Kennedia Plants
There are 15 types of Kennedia plants that scientists officially recognize. There is also one more type that is still being studied.
Recognized Species
- Kennedia beckxiana (Cape Arid kennedia): This plant is found only in Western Australia. It has red flowers with green centers that bloom from September to December.
- Kennedia carinata: This species also grows only in southwestern Western Australia. It produces red to purple flowers with yellow centers between September and November.
- Kennedia coccinea (coral vine): Another species found only in southwestern Western Australia. It can spread out to more than 3 meters. Its flowers bloom from September to November and are pale red with magenta edges and yellow centers.
- Kennedia exaltata: This plant is found in Queensland.
- Kennedia eximia
- Kennedia glabrata (Northcliffe kennedia): This species is also only found in southwestern Western Australia. It has red flowers that bloom from August to November. This plant is considered vulnerable, meaning it needs protection.
- Kennedia lateritia
- Kennedia microphylla
- Kennedia nigricans (black coral pea): This strong plant from Western Australia can spread over a large area, more than 18 square meters. People use it to cover fences and sheds. Its black and yellow flowers bloom from October to January.
- Kennedia procurrens (purple running pea): This species grows in Queensland and New South Wales, often in sandy soil. It has purple flowers that bloom from late winter into summer.
- Kennedia prorepens: Found in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It produces purple, violet, and blue flowers between April and November.
- Kennedia prostrata (running postman): This plant is found in many parts of Australia, including the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. It has red and yellow flowers that don't bloom very often. Its leaves have special wavy edges.
- Kennedia retrorsa: This species is only found in a small area around Mount Dangar in New South Wales. It has pink, purple, or scarlet flowers that bloom from September to December. This plant is also considered vulnerable.
- Kennedia rubicunda (dusky coral pea): A common species found in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It produces pink flowers from late winter into spring.
- Kennedia stirlingii (bushy kennedia): A Western Australian species with orange to red flowers that bloom between August and November.
Provisional Species
- Kennedia macrophylla: This plant is found in Western Australia. It grows best in shaded areas and has yellow and pink flowers.
Growing Kennedia Plants
Kennedia plants can handle light frost. They prefer soil that is light and drains water well, and they like to grow in full sun. Once they are settled, they can also spread into shaded areas. The species from Western Australia can handle hot weather. They are great for covering sheds, fences, and walls if they have something to climb on.
Many Kennedia plants are strong climbers. For example, K. rubicunda and K. nigricans can cover a five-meter wall in just nine months! K. rubicunda is often used in projects to regrow plants around Sydney. The most popular species to grow in gardens is K. prostrata. This one is a much less strong climber and usually grows as a groundcover plant.
You can grow these plants from seeds in the spring. In the warmer summer months, it's easy to grow them from cuttings (small pieces of the plant). These tough plants can be cut back a lot after they flower to stop them from growing too much.
Images for kids
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Kennedia coccinea in Glen Forrest, Western Australia
See also
In Spanish: Kennedia para niños
