Florida's Vines

On this page - Lovevine, Catclaw mimosa, Spurred butterfly-pea, White twinevine, Ocean blue morning-glory, Hairy indigo

Lovevine, Dodder - Cassytha filiformis

Family - Lauraceae

Habitat - Sandhill, Scrub, Pinelands, Hammocks

Description - Common native herbaceous vine is frequently seen growing on oaks, Love vine is a true parasitic plant. Once it has attached itself to a host plant it detaches from its root and will eventually kill the host. It is seldom invasive as it is generally selective to certain host species. Leaves are small scales, not noticeable to the naked eye.

Flower - Tiny white flowers clustered on short spikes. Fruit is a 1/4 in. diameter, round fleshy berry.

Catclaw Mimosa - Mimosa quadrivalvis L. var. floridana

Family - Fabaceae

Habitat - Sandhill, Scrub, Flatwoods

Description - Native, perennial, a trailing semi-woody vine to 4 feet or more with ribbed stems and small re-curved thorns. Bipinnate compound leaves fold closed when touched, hence the name Sensitive Briar.

Habitat - Sandhill, scrub, flatwoods.

Flower- Pink, 3/4 inch in diameter, with bright yellow tipped stamens.

Spurred butterfly-pea - Centrosema virginianum

Family - Fabaceae

Habitat - Open areas of Hammocks, Wet Pinelands, Margins of Wet Prairies on moist sandy soils.

Description - Climbing, twining vine, grows to 6 feet or more in length, trifoliate leaves with lanceolate leaflets. The 1 inch or slightly larger flowers vary in color from lavender to white. Blooms from spring through fall. Fruit is a flattened pod.

White Twinevine - Sarcostemma clausum

Family - Apocynaceae

Habitat - Hammocks, Coastal strand, shell mounds, ruderal

Description - Native perennial twining vine. Variable opposite leaves, ovate to lanceolate

Flower - Clusters of fragrant 1/2inch white flowers having 5 hairy petals.

Ocean Blue Morning-Glory - Ipomoea indica

Family - Convolvulaceae

Habitat - Coastal strand, coastal hammocks.

Description - Native Florida annual or perennial vine.

Flower - Deep blue to purple, funnel shaped to 3 1/2 inches wide.

Hairy Indigo - Indigofera hirsuta

Family - Fabaceae

Habitat - Ruderal, flatwoods, old pastures

Description - Not Native, Introduced. Annual, prostrate or climbing to 36 inches in height. Leaves pinnately compound with elliptic leaflets.

Flower - Typical pea-like, pinkish-red flowers.