Description
Form: A climbing vine with coiling tendrils.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Leaf retention: Evergreen in frost-free areas.
Growth rate: Rapid.
Mature Size: To 40' (12m) long after many years in the ground.
Flowers: Small, pink, red, or rarely, white flowers without fragrance are clustered along often-branched flower stems. The "petals" are called tepals because sepals and petals are indistinguishable on this plant.
Bloom: Spring through fall. Blooming stops at the first frost in fall or the start of winter.
Fruit: Small brown seeds (achenes) within a capsule of dried tepals.
Leaves: Green, heart-shaped, ovate or triangular, medium-large.
Stems: Tendrils allow the vine to climb. The stems are initially herbaceous and become woody from the bottom up with age.
Roots: This vine forms underground tubers which grow larger with age. It can resprout from its tubers after freezing temperatures or after being cut to the ground.
Wildlife: The flowers attract bees. The seeds attract birds and small mammals.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Mexico and Central America.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8-11. This plant dies to the ground in freezing temperatures.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: This vine is tolerant of soil types but does better in enriched soil, pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline).
Water once established: Once or twice a month in part shade, weekly in full sun during the hottest parts of the year.
Mulch: Add mulch in the fall to protect tubers in regions with hard winter freezes.
Prune: Winter cleanup of dead sections, possibly cutting the entire vine to the ground.
Litter: Low except winter cleanup.
Propagation: Seed, cuttings, layering, dividing tubers.
Uses: An attractive climbing vine for a wall, fence, or trellis; bee garden; culinary. As a ground cover it will climb over shrubs and small trees and may smother them.
The tubers are edible when cooked. The flour-coated leaves and flowers are fried and served with noodles. The flowers are cooked into omelets. The roasted seeds are winnowed and ground into a flour. The flowers and leaves are used to make a tea as a cold remedy.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). Another common name is Queen Anne's Wreath. It is considered invasive in high rainfall areas but is well behaved in dry climates.

---

Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.