Kennedia prostrata

Common name: Scarlet Runner

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 in the south west of Western Australia. Also found in south eastern Australia.

Description:

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

Atlas of Living Australia https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2893022

Florabase https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4044