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Cobaea scandens
| Family Name: | Cobaeaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cobaea lasseri, Rosenbergia scandens |
| Common Name: | Cup and Saucer Vine, Mexican Ivy, Cathedral Bells, Monastery Bells |
A perennial climbing vine with attractive purple tea cup-shaped flowers that grows well on trellises or fences and gives beautiful draping effect.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Weeping / Pendulous |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico (Puebla) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Vigorous perennial climber |
|---|---|
| Stems | Woody stems |
| Flowers | Flowers bell shaped, to 5cm in length, opening greenish white and turning bright purple when mature, fragrant |
| Cultivation | Although it is a perennial, it can be grown as an annual on trellises or fences. It can also be grown in container planting but requires staking for support. Remove spent flowers to promote new blooming. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Planting Remarks | Requires cooler growing temperatures (25'c and below) to grow; can be grown in areas that are fully airconditioned all year round. Will not survive outdoors in Singapore's lowland weather conditions. |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Green - Light Green, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32659 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7071 |
| 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. |