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Comesperma spp.

milkwort

Polygalaceae Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Comesperma spp. is a genus of about 30 species of herbs, small shrubs, and twining climbers in the milkwort family, Polygalaceae, found only in Australia. The genus spans slender twiners such as the love creeper (C. volubile), which climbs 3-10 feet (0.9-3 m) by wiry, nearly leafless green stems, to low wiry shrubs such as the heath milkwort (C. ericinum), 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 m) tall, with small narrow leaves. The flowers are small and pea-like in outline but built on the milkwort plan, with two petal-like wings flanking a small keel, and open in shades of blue, purple, mauve, pink, or yellow in slender terminal or axillary racemes. Each flower gives way to a flattened, wedge-shaped capsule holding hairy seeds. Most species grow in dry sclerophyll forest, heath, and open woodland on sandy or gravelly, low-nutrient soils, often among shrubs that the climbers scramble through. Flowering is mainly in spring. Plants are adapted to lean, well-drained Australian soils and seasonal dryness, and many resprout or regenerate from seed after fire. They are little known in cultivation and are sensitive to rich soil and frost.

Native Range

Comesperma spp. is endemic to Australia, found across the southern, eastern, and western parts of the continent, including Tasmania. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest, heathland, mallee, and open woodland, mostly on sandy or gravelly soils low in nutrients.

Suggested Uses

Comesperma spp. is grown occasionally in native Australian gardens, heath and woodland plantings, and among shrubs the twiners can climb through, where the blue or purple spring flowers thread among other plants. The flowers draw native bees. Its need for lean, sharply drained soil and a warm climate makes it unsuited to rich or cold gardens.

How to Identify

Look for slender twining stems or low wiry shrubs carrying small flowers built on the milkwort plan, with two coloured, petal-like wings on either side of a small keel, in blue, purple, mauve, pink, or yellow. The love creeper climbs by green, nearly leafless stems, while shrubby species have small narrow leaves. Flattened, wedge-shaped seed capsules holding hairy seeds help confirm the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 10'

Width/Spread1' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in spring, from roughly August to November in the southern hemisphere, with some species extending into summer. The small wing-petaled flowers open along slender racemes and draw native bees. Flattened capsules follow and shed hairy seeds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue to purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Comesperma spp. grows in full sun to light shade on sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil low in nutrients, in the manner of many Australian heath and woodland plants. It tolerates seasonal dryness once established and resents rich soil, heavy feeding, and prolonged wet, which cause soft growth and root rot. Most species are frost-tender to half-hardy and grow in warm-temperate, frost-free, or nearly frost-free climates, broadly USDA zones 9-11. Twining species need low shrubs or light support to climb through. Plants are propagated from seed or cuttings, though both can be slow. Lean soil and sun give the sturdiest growth and the most flowers.

Pruning

Trim shrubby species lightly after flowering to keep a dense habit, as hard cutting into bare old wood may not resprout. Cut back twining species to untangle and contain them once bloom has finished. Remove dead or frost-damaged stems in spring.