Cypress Vine Ipomoea quamoclit
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Cypress Vine:
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-poh-MEE-a KWAM-oh-klit
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
This invasive vine is original to the tropics of South America and, though an annual, spreads quickly by self-seed propagation. It grows rapidly reaching 10-20 feet, but is not sturdy and requires support to grow upright. The delicate, fern-like foliage recoils from direct sunlight but expands after sundown. The bright scarlet red flowers are small, blooming from early summer to fall frost and are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant grows in full sun in average soil and requires good drainage but adequate moisture. It tolerates deer, some drought, and both wet and dry soil conditions. Germination of seeds is aided by scarifying and soaking in water for 12-24 hours,
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Cardinalis'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Cardinalis'
- Tags:



- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Cardinalis'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Cardinalis'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ipomoea
- Species:
- quamoclit
- Family:
- Convolvulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Ipomea support the following specialized bees: Melitoma taurea and Cemolobus ipomoeae. Flowers also attract humminbirds and butterflies.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11b, 11a, 12a, 12b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Delicate, fern-like compound leaves
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy