A vigorous creeper with dense foliage. The stems become very stout and woody. Dark-red sap exudes from cut stems, hence the common name. Dark-red pea-like flowers borne on arching panicles from September to December. Papery fruits up to 12 cm long with kidney-shaped seeds from December to January. Can be used as a groundcover. Spectacular in flower. The seed can be propagated if scarified first.
Photo: Robert Whyte. Location: Junction of Fish and Enoggera Creek, Walton Bridge Reserve
Stipels
The distinguishing feature to differentiate Blood Vine from Native Derris Derris involuta are the stipels — a feature of Blood Vine, but not Native Derris. Also a Fabaceae Derris has compound pinnate leaves with 9 to 13 ovate to elliptical leaflets, bluntly rounded, roughly widest at their midpoint. Derris tends to look more glaucous (cabbage coloured) on the undersides and more greenish (rather than with a brownish tinge) overall. Although hardy and drought tolerant, will do best if it has plenty of water.
Blood Vine Near Nursery Creek
This gigantic specimen of the Blood Vine Austrosteenisia blackii reaches right to the top of the canopy, which is just as well, since much of the canopy here is dead Camphor Laurel, on which this vine is growing.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Spectacular For Suburban Creek
This photo shows how enormous this Blood Vine is. Those are size-11 boots near its base. Quite a spectacle and amazing to find in a suburban creek surrounded by houses, schools, shops and playing fields.
Photo: Robert Whyte
