Citation: R. Br. in W.T. Alton, Hort. Kew, edn 2, 4:299 (1812).

Synonymy: Kennedya prostrata

Common name: Running postman, scarlet runner, scarlet coral-pea.

Description:
Stems prostrate or-rarely twining, hirsute at first, glabrescent later; leaflets 3, on petioles 0.5-5 cm or more long, laterals subsessile, upper on a petiolule 2-9 mm long, about as long as broad, mostly orbicular, 1-3 cm, slightly notched, sparsely hairy; stipules leafy, cordate, c. 5 mm long; stipels setaceous, to 2 mm long.

Flowers 2-2.5 cm long, 1-2 (rarely more) on a peduncle shorter than the leaf, the pedicel(s) 5-25 mm long, pubescent, with persistent white-pubescent leafy cordate bracts 2-4 mm long; calyx campanulate, c. 10 mm long, brown, pubescent; petals red or scarlet; standard obovate, with a yellow callus basally; wings shortest; keel nearly as long as the standard; ovary white-pubescent, tapering into the style.

Pod nearly cylindrical, 30-50 x 6-8 mm, brown, pubescent, 5-8-seeded; seed ovoid-oblong, 3-4 x c. 2.5 mm, dark-brown, smooth, with a large lateral aril.

Image source: fig. 317B in J.P. Jessop and H.R. Toelken Ed. 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Cochrane et al. (1968) Flowers and plants of Victoria, fig. 43.

Distribution:  Widespread through temperate Australia mainly on coastal sand dunes, but inland on rocky outcrops. S.Aust.: FR, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Aug. — Nov.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available