Coral vine (Antigonon leptopus) is a trellising vine with rose or white colored flowers and heart-shaped leaves. It is considered easy to grow. In warm southern areas it is considered an invasive species.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Antigonon leptopus is a species of perennial vine in the buckwheat family commonly known as coral vine or queen’s wreath. This clambering vine is characterized by showy, usually pink flowers that can bloom throughout the year and large, heart-shaped leaves. A. leptopus is native to the Pacific and Atlantic coastal plains of Mexico, but also occurs as a roadside weed from Mexico south to Central America. It is widely introduced and invasive throughout tropical regions of the world, including in the south and eastern United States, the West Indies, South America, and the Old World tropics of Asia and Africa. This species is utilized for its edible tubers and seeds, but also for its horticultural properties as an ornamental vine in warmer parts of the world.
Antigonon leptopus is a fast-growing climbing vine that holds on via tendrils, and is able to reach over 7 metres in length. It has cordate (heart-shaped), sometimes triangular leaves 25 to 75 mm long. The flowers are borne in panicles, clustered along the rachis. Producing pink or white flowers from spring to autumn, it forms underground tubers and large rootstocks. It is a prolific seed producer. The seeds float on water. The fruit and seeds are eaten and spread by a wide range of animals such as pigs, raccoons and birds. The tubers will resprout if the plant is cut back or damaged by frost.
This plant is listed as a category II invasive exotic by Florida’s pest plant council.
Invasion of Antigonon leptopus on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius significantly increased arthropod abundance and caused biotic homogenization. Specifically, uninvaded arthropod communities that were distinctly different in species composition between developed and natural sites became undistinguishable after A. leptopus invasion.
Moreover, functional variables were significantly affected by species invasion. Invaded communities had higher community‐weighted mean body size and the feeding guild composition of invaded arthropod communities was characterized by the exceptional numbers of nectarivores, herbivores, and detritivores. Taxa indicated as omnivorous (e.g., ants) that seem intrinsically generalistic appear to primarily suffer from A. leptopus invasion and may be particularly sensitive to the habitat structural effects of A. leptopus. Increased coverage of A. leptopus leads to a significant decrease in the abundance of predatory lizards of the genus Anolis.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Coral vine thrives in full sunlight but tolerates partial shade.
Watering
For two weeks, new plantings should be watered daily. Depending on the weather and type of soil, the frequency of watering can then be reduced to every two or three days. Clay soils keep water longer than sandy soils, so places with more sand will need to be watered more often. In hot, dry weather, once a week is usually sufficient.
Fertilizing
When preparing beds for planting, incorporate fertilizer into the soil. Feeding established plants in early spring and again at the midpoint of the growing season is recommended. Avoid fertilizer application late in the growing season. This stimulates new growth that is vulnerable to early frost damage.
Planting Instructions
Antigonon leptopus grows well from seed, and its germination is relatively straightforward; unlike some flowering plants, it does not require pre-soaking or extensive preparation.
Choose a location for your Antigonon leptopus that receives partial sunlight. Loosen the soil a little bit. Water the soil in the area or container of your choice until it is moist but not saturated. If the soil gets wet quickly, add perlite, sand, or organic matter to it to help it drain better while still keeping it moist.
Place the seeds of the Antigonon leptopus in the moistened soil, so they are barely covered. If the seeds are planted too deeply, the Antigonon plant cannot develop.
During germination, keep the soil moist by checking it daily and watering as necessary. Antigonon leptopus germination and emergence from the soil can take anywhere from 21 to 30 days.
During the growing season, fertilize the Antigonon leptopus plant weekly with a general-purpose fertilizer for flowering plants. Once the plant is established, it can handle dry conditions better than it could when it was a seed.
Regulate the growth of the Antigonon leptopus by constructing a trellis or other frame for it to climb. Antigonon leptopus uses tendrils to climb and can aggressively reach lengths of 30 feet or more if given a chance. Prepare a container with a well-draining soil mixture to start the seeds indoors.
Pruning
To maintain a manageable size, cut back the Antigonon leptopus annually late in the winter or earlier on in spring and again in the summer. A simpler option is to prune the plant to the ground each spring. It won’t take long for it to recover.
Pests and Diseases
There are no significant pests or diseases that affect the vine. Caterpillars could cause damage to the plants by eating the foliage.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
The coral vine is a delicate beauty and makes a wonderful ornamental in your garden, especially during the summer and fall blooming season. It’s also a fast-spreading vine that can easily decorate trellises, fences, and walls. You can grow it in sandy coastal gardens or wildlife gardens, where birds and butterflies will flock to this plant.
- Medicinal uses
Anti-thrombin, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities were all demonstrated by plant extracts. Hypertension, diabetes, the flu, and painful menstruation can all be alleviated by drinking tea made from the leaves. Leaves are used for cough and throat constriction treatment.
- Culinary uses
Antigonon leptopus was prepared for consumption by the aboriginal inhabitants of Baja California Sur in a way reminiscent of preparing popcorn. The seeds were toasted by placing them in a flat basket made of flexible twigs which was torn into strips and woven to make a solid surface. On top of the seeds live coals were placed, and with both hands the basket was shaken so that the coals came up against the seeds, toasting them, but not burning the basket. When the toasting was finished, the burned-out coals were removed. Using this method, a major portion of the seeds burst open, exposing a white meal. Afterwards, the seeds were separated from the husks from which they had emerged by tossing them into the air with the basket, similar to the method used in winnowing wheat in Spain. The seeds were then ground and the resulting meal was eaten. Alternatively, the seeds could be boiled and made into fried cakes.
