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Antigonon leptopus

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Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn.

Family Name: Polygonaceae
Common Name: Coral Vine, Mountain-rose Coralvine, Rosa de Montana, Bellísima, Corallita, Bunga Bonet, Bunga Berteh, Honolulu Creeper, Confederate Vine, Mexican Creeper, Coral Creeper, Chain of Love, Hearts on a Chain, Love Vine, Queen's Wreath, 珊瑚藤, 朝日藤

Adorned with vibrant pink flowers, the Coral Vine ( Antigonon leptopus ) is a prolific bloomer that is constantly flowering under bright sunlight. The flowers are rich in nectar and provide food for bees and butterflies. This lush climber has heart-shaped leaves which drape over trellises, forming a dense canopy that shelters from the sun. There are cultivated varieties of the Coral Vine which come in white or dark red flowers.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 9 m to 12 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 6 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Mexico
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Herbaceous slender-stemmed vine, climbs with tendrils arising from ends of inflorescence. Heat and drought-tolerant when established. Fast-growing and quickly covers walls, trellis and arbors with lush foliage. In Singapore, plant may have a tendency to produce flowers only towards top of growth.
Foliage Leaves soft, narrowly heart-shaped, light green, prominently-veined with wavy margins. Leaves are alternately arranged along the stems, simple and borne on petioles (stalks) that are 1 - 5 cm long. 
Stems Stems are slender, climbing onto other vegetation via tendrils that are borne on leaf axils. 
Flowers Flowers bright pink, fragrant, produced as cascading racemes, attractive to bees and butterflies. Each flower has 5 petals with entire margin with acute tips, 8 stamens and 3 styles and stigmas. The flowers will turn dull pink and eventually brown as they age. 
Fruit Brown achene, cone-shaped or three-angled, shiny in appearance. The fruits are usually hidden within the enlarged persistent petals. 
Habitat Found in thickets, rainforest margins, coastal areas, roadsides, disturbed sites and gardens. 
Cultivation Can easily grow on well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought when established but appreciates moisture during growing season. 
Etymology The genus Antigonon means opposite-angled, which refers to the zig-zag stems of coral vine. The specific epithet leptopus means slender stalks. 
Ethnobotanical Uses Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Underground tubers cooked and eaten in native Mexico for their nutty flavour.  (Herb or Spice)
Medicinal: Leaves used in the Caribbean as poultices for boils and swellings. Tea made from leaves used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, flu and menstrual pains. 
Cut - Dried Flower: Flowers used in bridal bouquets in parts of Southeast Asia, or made into wreaths by children during play-time.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping Butterfly Garden, Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar, Flower Pollen), Bee-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth), Insects (Bee))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Little Water, Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils, Drought Tolerant
Potential Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Caterpillars may chew on the leaves. 
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Storage Organ
Maintenance Requirements Remarks Plant may have tendency to flower only towards top of growth.

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Pink
Foliar Modification Foliar Tendril
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Cordate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate, Acute
Foliar Base Cordate
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s) Underground (Root Tuber)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Pink
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Inflorescence Type Raceme
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 16
Species ID 1312
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 20 June 2022.

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