Botanical Name: Vigna caracalla (Phaseolus gigantea)
Common Name: Snail Vine
Type of Plant: dicot: vine
Character deciduous
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape a fast-growing, climbing plant - in mild climate areas becomes woody and vinelike with age; plant climbs by twining (like pole beans); dies back to ground in colder areas
Height 10' - 20'
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full sun to partial shade; best in coastal areas
Soil prefers moist, rich soils; tolerates heavy wet soil locations
Hardiness tender (zones 12-24): avoid shaded or cold habitats
 
Morphology:
Leaves trifoliate, alternate, dark green; leaflets ovate, 1"-2" long, deeply furrowed on upper surface
Flowers unusual shaped, pale purple - blue, 2" across, in loose open clusters; twisted "keel" petal has coiled shape; Spring
Fruit if developed, an elongate pod 6" - 12"
 
Propagation:
semi-hardwood cuttings or seed
 
Usage:
fast-growing fence or bank cover, attractive during spring/early summer for its heavy display of the pale bluish-purple flowers
 
Landscape Care:
Watering regular preferred - tolerates heavy; dies back to ground if drought-stressed
Fertilizing balanced, in early spring; supplement during summer if plant receives heavy irrigation
Pruning head back close to ground during dormant season
Pests/Diseases relatively free; whitefly in shaded or very humid locations
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Southeast Asia
Family: Fabaceae

Notes:
 
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