Pandorea doratoxylon
Family: Bignoniaceae
Large rambling shrub growing to 4m with vine-like stems. The flowers are cream coloured with purple-brown striations in the throat and appear on the ends of the branchlets. The flowers are followed by a large, woody, canoe shaped pod containing winged seeds.
Aboriginal men used the flexible stems of this plant to make spear shafts. They were straightened and strengthened by heating in hot sand and ashes. A spear head, often made of mulga wood, was attached using kangaroo sinew and / or spinifex resin.
This plant is closely related to Pandorea pandorana, a common east coast twining climber found in rainforest habitats.
Where to find this plant at Alice Springs Desert Park
Excellent examples currently flowering in the visitor centre courtyard.
Source:
Latz, P., 2004. Bushfires and Bushtucker, IAD Press, Alice Springs
Moore, P., 2005. A Guide to Plants of Inland Australia, Reed New Holland, Sydney