Skyblue Clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos)
March 16, 2008 — Vasant M. SalianSkyblue Clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos) is a handsome light climber. Native to tropical America, it has spread to many tropical countries because of the ease with which it can be grown and for its beautiful appearance. Ideal for covering trellises and growing in pots over “balloons,” it is a small freely blooming creeper of controllable growth. The stem of the creeper is slender and green and the leaves are arranged alternatively. The leaves are small, shiny and heart-shaped with pointed tips. The bell-shaped white-throated ultramarine blue flowers are produced in clusters at the ends for long stalks.
The creeper looks gorgeous with its many flowers spread on it after rains and in the cooler season. Compared to other members of morning glory family, the flowers are smaller. They are about the size of a one-rupee coin or 2.5 cms across, with the petals fixing into bell shape with five stamens.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Jacquemontia
Species: Jacquemontia pentanthos
Pronunciation/Meaning:
- Convolvulaceae (kon-volv-yoo-LAY-see-ay) - The Convolvulus family (from the Latin convolvere, meaning to twine around.
- Jacquemontia (jak-MON-tee-uh) - Named for Victor Jaquemont, 19th century French botanist and explorer.
- pentanthos (pent-AN-thos) - From the Greek pente (five) and anthos (flower).
Common Names:
- Skyblue Clustervine, Pentantha, Jacquemontia
Links:
Image Courtesy of Jason Hollinger.
