Under The Jakfruit Tree

This week’s focus will be on two tropical vines not seen very often in the landscape. The first one is a member of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge Family. This family is best known for Poinsettias and succulents of South Africa. However, there is a tropical vine, Dalechampia dioscoreifolia or commonly called, Winged Beauty or sometimes the Costa Rican Butterfly Vine. The flowers are comprised of two conspicuous purple bracts that resemble a butterfly which surround a small inconspicuous red and white flower. Somewhat cold sensitive, and susceptible to overwatering due to poor drainage, but well worth the effort if grown in the proper conditions. It can be maintained in a container with a trellis long term which isn’t always the case for many vines.

Our second vine this week, is Passiflora citrina, or a Lemon Yellow Passion Flower. As far as I know it is the only passion vine with a yellow flower. Small in stature as far as the vine and leaves, and even the flower is on the small side as far as Passion Flowers go, but a very pretty lemon yellow flower that stands out among the foliage. Again, because this vine is small in stature, it can be maintained in a container.

Richard Lyons Nursery currently has both of these vines in stock.