Introducing a tropical vine with a taxonomic mess surrounding it, enter Phaseolus carcalla. A twinning vine native to south America , this vine displays flowers classic to that found in the family legumancea (peas and beans), however of key note is that the flowers are slightly twisted revealing the key attraction of this vine. the flowers unique shape is to aid in the pollination by means of ants. Ants are the key pollinators of both these genus's, The reason for the taxonomic mess is due to that of its near relative Vigna carcalla.
The key difference between the two is in the flower. Foliage are nearly identical but it is in the flower color that one can easily tell the species apart. Our plant of the month is purple and scentless vs Vigna carcalla which is white with pink and with a strong scent said to resemble violets. growth habits and much the same with both vines behaving as semi evergreens if frosts are not to hard although that has yet to be observed in my own garden (watch this space).
Perhaps the reason as to why there is so much confusion is due to how so many of us gardeners come across this plant. When we had fist stumbled upon this jewel it was at a Home depot in spring it was being sold as Vigna carcalla yet when it first bloomed did it reveal its true identity. Neither the less it has proven itself worth its space. It inhabits a dry narrow bed on the side of a pool where the soil is shape draining and baked by the sun. This vine has thrived yet its hardiness has yet to be seen as this winter has been mild to the extreme.
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