Australian purple coral pea

Hardenbergia is a small genus of three species, the most common and best known of which is Hardenbergia violacea. This is a widespread species occurring here in New South Wales, also Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Occurs in a variety of habitats, usually in open forest/woodland and sometimes in heath.

Presenting as a climbing plant whose branches twist around the stems of other plants but it rarely covers other plants so extensively as to cause damage. The leaves are dark, flat, glossy green and lanceolate, 75 to 100 mm in length. The flowers, which appear in late winter and spring, are usually violet in colour but pink, white and other colours are sometimes found. The flowers are the typical 'pea' shape seen in plants within family Fabaceae.

Each tiny flower measures just 7 mm in diameter. Photographed in natural setting.