Kennedia prostrataCommon name: Running Postman

Meaning of name: Kennedia honours John Kennedy (1759 – 1842), nurseryman at Hammersmith, London. Prostrata is from the Latin word prostratus, meaning thrown to the ground, prostrate, lying along the ground.

Aboriginal name: Wollung.

Aboriginal use: The nectar was used to soothe sore throats. The leaves were used to make a refreshing drink. The stems were made into twine.

Distribution: Occurs from Northampton to Esperance.

Remarks: A prostrate shrub to 2 metres in diameter. The red flowers are produced from July to November.

References: Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.

Noongar Bush Medicine, Medicinal Plants of the South-west of Western Australia. Vivienne Hansen & John Horsfall. 2016