Saturday, November 2, 2013

KENNEDIA spp. and KUNZEA spp.

This plant, commonly known as Running Postman or Scarlet Runner, is a species of flowering plant endemic to Australia  It is native to Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.  Although not endemic just to W.A.  I have included it because it is very beautiful.

Kennedia prostrata is a prostrate or climbing shrub which can spread to a width of 1.5 metres (5') and has light green leaves that comprise 3 rounded leaflets with undulating edges.  Scarlet pea flowers are produced singly or in pairs between April and November in its native range.  These are followed by cylindrical pods that are 3-5 cms (1-2") in length.



Another Kennedia species is K. eximia (there is a distinct difference in the leaves and flowers of the two plants:





Kunzea baxteri is a shrub in the family Myrtaceae and endemic to the southwest of Western Australia where it occurs on granite outcrops and hills.  It grows between 1-4 metres (3-13 ft) in height. It is one of two Kunzea species that produces red flowers, the other being K. pulchella.  The flowers are produced between July and March in its native range.  Its beautiful flowers rival those of some of the Callistemon (bottlebrush) species:




K. pulchella is also endemic to southwest W.A. but I consider its flowers less spectacular than those of K. baxteri although still quite beautiful:



I am falling in love with our beautiful wildflowers all over again.  : )

12 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    ...That makes two of us - and I suspect more!! What I am enjoying is seeing some old favourites and discovering new things as well as finding new things altogether. The added benefit is seeing these plants through another person's eyes. Absolutely delightful! YAM xx

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    1. Thanks Yam. It's exciting to discover new things and renew relationships with the old ones. It's fun for me too. xx

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  2. We have scarlet runner beans....I wonder if they are the same.

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    1. No Delores...nothing similar at all. The beans you have you can eat. Not sure it'd be a good idea to eat these. lol
      We grew scarlet runner beans a few years back but they don't do all that well in Perth's climate so just the once. Green beans do much better here.

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  3. Thanks for sharing Mimsie, these flowers are lovely!

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    1. YVW Denise. Some of our flora in WA and Australia is quite outstanding. We are very proud of it especially those that grow in our southwest.

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  4. I haven't seen Scarlet Runner in ages! I would have mistaken the Kunzea for a small bottle brush species. The colours are lovely.

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    1. We had some in our garden years ago but with changes being made etc some of the plants don't survive. I need ground covers to keep the weeds at bay so will be looking for some to plant that will spread without taking over too much.

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  5. PS; I'm enjoying "Comeback" very much.

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    1. I am so pleased and will have to find another good one to pop in the mail soon. I've always enjoyed Dick Francis' books as I not only find the stories well written but I learn about things too which makes them even more interesting.

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