''Hardenbergia comptoniana'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the pea

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

, Fabaceae,

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and entert ...

to Western Australia. It is known as native wisteria, a name also used for '' Austrocallerya megasperma''. A twining vine, it produces purple flowers in the Southern Hemisphere spring. It is found on sand dunes and sand plains, and in open forest, on sand- or clay-based soils. It is readily cultivated in the garden, where it does best in a part-shaded position.

Description

It is a vigorous twining vine with characteristically narrow trifoliate leaves, which distinguish it readily from its closest relative '' Hardenbergia violacea'' which has entire leaves. The pea-shaped flowers appear from August to November (Southern Hemisphere late winter to spring) and can range in colour from mauve, to purple to dark blue, with pink and white forms also known. The two eye spots on the standard are white, in contrast to the light green-yellow spots on ''H. violacea''. The flowers are arranged in drooping racemes. The flowers are followed by the development of the smooth grey-brown cylindrical seed pods. They are around long. The seed pods make an audible 'pop' when they release the seeds.

Taxonomy

Henry Cranke Andrews Henry Cranke Andrews (fl. 1794 – 1830), was an English botanist, botanical artist and engraver. As he always published as Henry C. Andrews, and due to difficulty finding records, the C. was often referred to as Charles, until a record of his ...

described this species as ''Glycine comptoniana'', naming it for the Lady Northampton as it was in her garden that a specimen had flowered; her surname was Compton. It was given its current name in 1837 by

George Bentham George Bentham (22 September 1800 – 10 September 1884) was an English botanist, described by the weed botanist Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century". Born into a distinguished family, he initially studie ...

. Common names include native lilac, wild sarsaparilla and wild wisteria climber.

Distribution and habitat

''Hardenbergia comptoniana'' is found on the coastal plain from Geraldton to Albany in Western Australia, on sand dunes, limestone areas and sandplains. It also grows in forested areas further inland on both sand- and clay-based soils.

Use in horticulture

Growing on a trellis, Perth, Western Australia ''H. comptoniana'' was brought into cultivation in England in 1810 by the 1st Marchioness of Northampton. The plant is fairly vigorous and can cover a area in two years, smothering smaller plants it is allowed to grow over. Partly shaded positions in the garden are most suitable. It is capable of growing high into surrounding trees or can cover fences or trellises rapidly, once established. Seed propagation is straightforward, while cuttings can also be struck successfully.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3127369 Phaseoleae Fabales of Australia Endemic flora of Southwest Australia Plants described in 1810 Taxa named by Henry Cranke Andrews