Cypressvine Morningglory Ipomoea quamoclit
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-poh-MEE-a KWAM-oh-klit
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This weedy vine is native to the tropics of South Americain the morning glory family. Alhough it is an annual, it 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. In NC the seeds will remain in the garden and grow the following spring.
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. It can be used on trellises and other vertical structures
Although it has naturalized in some areas of the south and west, it isn't considered a threat to native plants. It is toxic to dogs, cats and horses though.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Can be somewhat weedy.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Cardinalis'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Cardinalis'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Cardinalis'
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Cardinalis'
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dry capsule that splits to release seeds
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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
- Flower Description:
- Small 3/4 inch red tubular flowers in clusters all summer
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Thin green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
