Kennedia nigricans (Tiger Snake Vine ) is a climbing, perennial that is native to south-west Western Australia. A fast growing, vigorous climber, the Tiger Snake Vine also produces stunning black and yellow flowers from late winter. The plant itself can be used as a groundcover, a screen or grown on an archway or trellis. It’s easy to maintain, doesn’t need much water and can tolerate a light frost.
Suitable for Dry, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Other common names used in place of the Tiger Snake Vine is the Black Coral Pea and Black Kennedia.
Click here to view full range of Australian Natives.
Growth
Kennedia nigricans is native trailing shrub or groundcover that grows to a maximum height of 6 metres (20 feet) and width of 10 metres (33 feet). It is a vigorous woody climber that is drought tolerant and can handle light frosts. It’s climbing nature requires regular pruning but makes the plant ideal as a screener or hedge.
The leaflets are egg-shaped up to 90 mm (3.5 inches) long and up to 70 mm (3 inches) wide. Beautiful black and yellow flowers start blooming from late-winter to late-spring and are arranged on pedicles in groups of up to fifteen. Seed pods up to 8cm (3 inches) contain anywhere between 10-15 seeds each.
Tiger Snake Vines are in a hurry to reproduce and can take as little as 8-10 months to start producing flowers and seed pods.
For a great visual representation of where this plant grows best check out this page.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry, Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5°C to 35°C / 23 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 6 metres (20 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 metres (33 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial, Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by bees and insects.
MATURITY:
8-10 years months.
GERMINATION RATES:
75-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 24 hours and then 2-3 weeks to germinate.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Reasonably easy.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
About 70.
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes, it does spread but it isn’t considered invasive officially.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) for 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT KENNEDIA NIGRICANS (Tiger Snake Vine)
A variety of Kennedia nigricans called Minstrel was registered by the Goldup Nursery in Mount Evelyn, Victoria in 1985. The cultivar was unique in that it had a pale, almost white appearance instead of yellow.
When Kennedia nigricans was first described in 1835 by John Lindley it was called ‘Dingy-flowered Kennedya.
