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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

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.

 

More information on Ipomoea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Cardinalis'
'Alba', 'Cardinalis'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#nectar plant#high maintenance#specialized bees#deer resistant#delicate#fern-like#pollinator plant#flowers midsummer#nectar plant fall#nectar plant summer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#flowers early fall#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Cardinalis'
'Alba', 'Cardinalis'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#nectar plant#high maintenance#specialized bees#deer resistant#delicate#fern-like#pollinator plant#flowers midsummer#nectar plant fall#nectar plant summer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#flowers early fall#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#annual#weed
  • 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:
    High
    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:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
    Stem Description:
    Thin green stems
  • 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
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, large amounts of seeds may cause hallucinations
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Indole alkaloids (Lysergic acid, lysergamide, elymoclavine and chanoclavine)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No