PURPLE HAZE: The glorious coral-pea is Hardenbergia violacea.
There is a beautiful purple pea plant flowering in the bush. It runs along the ground or up into shrubs. It looks like Happy Wanderer, but my grandmother said the one in the bush is called sarsaparilla. Can you help me with the proper name?
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S.D., Mt Helen
The correct name for the wild plant is purple coral-pea. It was commonly known as sarsaparilla a generation ago.
Happy Wanderer is a similar plant introduced by the nursery trade; its flowers are slightly lighter in colour and it is denser and more vigorous than the form found in local forests.
The botanical name of purple coral-pea is Hardenbergia violacea.
The plant is very eye-catching, especially when it is climbing up a flowering wattle.
- Questions and photos are welcome. Send to Roger Thomas at The Courier, PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or email to rthomas@vic.australis.com.au
