General Description:

Leichhardtia is a genus of 85 species native to Malesia, Australia and Melanesia.  There are 26 species in Australia, all of which were previously classified in the genus Marsdenia (Marsdenia was reclassified in 2021* and broken up into 24 genera with Australian species being allocated to the reinstated genera Gymnema and Leichhardtia).

Leichhardtia australis (previously Marsdenia australis) is a climbing species with twining stems containing a milky sap. The linear shaped leaves are about 50 to 100 mm long by about 30 mm wide. The greenish-yellow flowers are about 75 mm long and occur in branched clusters from the leaf axils in spring to summer. The flowers are followed by a large, pear-shaped or elongated fruit containing numerous yellow-brown seeds attached to tightly packed feathery hairs.

Few members of this genus are in cultivation but L.australis would be worth trying in a dry climate. It is not especially vigorous and will not overwhelm other plants growing nearby. It should be planted in a position receiving full sun or light, dappled shade and soils should be well drained.

The seeds of of L.australis are edible and are said to resemble garden peas in taste. The plant also produces an edible underground tuber.

L.australis can be grown from fresh seed, which requires no pretreatment. Cuttings of firm, young growth should also be successful.

* Forster, Paul I.; Gymnema R.Br. and Leichhardtia R.Br. (Apocynaceae), reinstated genera for taxa previously included in Marsdenia R.Br. Austrobaileya, Vol. 11 (2021), pp. 1-18.