Scientific Name: Hardenbergia violacea
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Pronunciation:har-den-BERGE-ee-ah vie-ah-LACE-ee
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Common Name:Native Sarsaparilla, False Sarsaparilla Vine
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Type:
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Family:FABACEAE
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Flowers:Purple pea flowers in racemes to 10mm, spring, summer
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Fruit:Oblong flattened pods to 4.5cm
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Vegetation Type:Eucalypt forest
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Species List:Landcare Display Garden, Bush food, NLTalks2010, Cooroibah Airstrip, Wooroi Day Use Area Tracks, NNP Parkedge/Alex, Fraser Island, Cranks Creek, Batianoff 87, Noosa North Shore PS TAFE BHNR Marcus Dunes, NNS,Emu Mt.,
Cultural Notes
TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential:
Bush food. Sarsaparilla-tasting leaves used as tea substitute by early settlers.
Purple flowers eaten raw.
Bush medicine: tonic drink
Identification Notes
Leathery alternate leaves, prominent veins
Associated Fauna
Butterfly host plant: Common grass blue.
Landscaping Notes
Very attractive climber or scrambling vine for average to well-drained situations. Ideal for covering logs or embankments. Sun, part shade.