Sarsaparilla

Hardenbergia violacea is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is known in Australia by the common names false sarsaparilla, purple coral pea and waraburra. The leaves are leathery, glabrous and sarsaparilla on the lower surface. The roots were experimented with by early European settlers as a substitute for sarsaparilla.

False sarsaparilla was first formally described in 1793 by George Voorhelm Schneevoogt who gave it the name Glycine violacea in his book, Icones Plantarum Rariorum. It occurs in eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, south-eastern Victoria and southern South Australia. Hardenbergia violacea is widely grown as a garden plant, with many cultivars now available. Plants prefer full sun in well-drained soil, are moderately frost-tolerant and respond well to pruning. New South Wales Flora Online: Hardenbergia violacea”. The Flowering Plants and Ferns of New South Wales.

Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. RHS Plant Selector – Hardenbergia violacea”. For decades, until the 2010s, the historical Sioux City sarsaparilla bottle was sold at retail in the United States. Smilax ornata, a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Mexico and Central America, is often used as the basis for the soft drink sarsaparilla.