Family: Convolvulaceae
Common name: Skybkue clustervine, Key West morning glory, Pentantha
Skyblue clustervine is a species of morning glories that are well-known for their beautiful, but short-lived flowers. These climbing vines are native to South and Central America and are very commonly seen in tropical and sub-tropical countries.
Plant characteristics
Skyblue clustervines can grow to a height of 3-4 meters with climbing, twining stems that take support from stakes, trellises, fences, or the surrounding vegetation.
Mature stems have a reddish-brown tinge and are quite sturdy. They can grow very quickly, especially when they are able to find a foothold to climb upwards.
Leaves of the Skyblue clustervine are broad and heart-shaped with a rounded base and tapering tip. They are 8-10 cm long with a dark green color, smooth texture, and straight margins. Leaves grow in abundance providing a lush green background for the beautiful flowers.
Skyblue clustervine flowers are blue or light purple in color with beautiful origami folds that are characteristic of morning glory flowers. They have a flattened shape with fused petals that are separated by a lighter purple shade, and a white center containing the stamens. There is a variant with white flowers as well, equally charming.
These flowers grow in clusters on the plant, blooming profusely during spring and summer, though the plant is capable of blooming throughout the year. Their climbing habit and bright flowers make them ideal for fences or trellises, and also attract pollinators in plenty to the garden.
Fruits of the Skyblue clustervine are small capsules containing several small seeds that are 2 mm long and dark brown in color. These seeds are dispersed by wind or water to new locations, where the plant can germinate.
Gardening tips
These plants prefer bright sunlight, though they can grow in the partial shade of trees. Bright sunlight for 5-6 hours a day can encourage plant growth and flowering.
They need regular watering and fertilization even when the plant is fully grown, since the plant spends a lot of energy on flowering.
Fertilize just before spring with a well-balanced fertilizer and trim any wayward branches, since you would feel guilty cutting any flowering branches once the flowers bloom. Be sure to provide a support that is big and strong enough for the vines to climb.
Some other beautiful morning glory plants are Ipomoea cairica or Coastal morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea or Common morning glory, and Ipomoea hederifolia or Scarlet Morning Glory.
The flowers of Evolvulus alsinoides or Slender dwarf morning glory are very similar to the Skyblue clustervines, but can be distinguished by the climbing vines of the Skyblue clustervines. Slender dwarf morning glory or Evolvulus alsinoides has short stems that spread on the ground.
Uses of Skyblue clustervines
These plants are mostly grown as ornamentals, and they make excellent screen plants to give privacy to specific areas of the garden, or the swimming pool. They are butterfly and pollinator magnets, because of their bright and beautiful flowers.
Leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetable in some parts of the world. Parts of the plant have medicinal uses in the treatment of conjunctivitis, wounds, headaches, snake bites, and leprosy. Extracts from the plant are said to have insecticidal properties.
Since these plants grow very quickly, and can climb on surrounding vegetation, they are capable of becoming invasive. Remove these plants if they grow uncontrolled in agricultural land, to prevent them from smothering saplings.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Parent plants produce seeds in abundance, which can be planted in well-drained soil to germinate. Cuttings of the parent plant with nodes can be planted in soil to grow roots.
Photographed at: Ole Bangalore resort; Swiss Town, Bangalore.
