| Running Postman | |
|---|---|
| Kennedia prostrata in Drummond Nature Reserve. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Phaseoleae |
| Genus: | Kennedia |
| Species: | K. prostrata |
| Binomial name | |
| Kennedia prostrata R.Br. |
|
Kennedia prostrata, commonly known as Running Postman or Scarlet Runner, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, endemic to Australia.
It is a prostrate or twining shrub which can spread to a width of 1.5 metres and has light green leaves that comprise 3 rounded leaflets with undulating edges[1] Scarlet pea flowers flowers are produced singly or in pairs between April and November in its native range.[2] These are followed by cylindrical pods that are 3 to 5 cm in length.[3]
The species was first formally described by Robert Brown in 1812 in Hortus Kewensis.[4]
It is native to the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.[3]
The species is naturally adapted to sandy or lighter soils and prefers a sunny position.[1][2] It is resistant to drought and has some frost tolerance. Plants can be propagated by scarified seed.[1]