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Calystegia macrostegia
Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt
Island False Bindweed, Woody Morning Glory, Island Morning Glory, California Morning Glory
Convolvulaceae (Morning-Glory Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: cama24
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Native from southwestern California to nearby Baja California, along the coast and in adjacent chaparral, this long-blooming, perennial morning glory with large white to pale pink flowers can climb to thirty feet and is ideal for arbors, pergolas, and fences within its range. It is also useful as a slope-stabilizing groundcover for full sun, as long as it receives coastal quantities of moisture during the summer. Its vivid green, triangular leaves are carried on twining stems that emerge from a woody base called a caudex, hence the common name Woody Morning Glory. Several varieties are recognized, with those from islands often preferred for horticulture, as they have more prominent leaves.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub , Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Deltoid
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Axillary
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Can climb to 30 feet.
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers 2-7 cm wide
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: White or pale pink.
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Coastal and island southwestern California south to adjacent Baja California
Native Habitat: Open coastal habitats and nearby chaparral
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well drained, rocky granite, sand, or clay loam soils of variable organic content, pH 6 to 8
Conditions Comments: Does best in full sun in moist, coastal areas. In drier sites, give afternoon shade. May defoliate during summer droughts, so water during dry spells.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Long-blooming white or muted pink flowers and lush, vigorous foliage for trellises, arbors, pergolas, fencesUse Wildlife: Butterflies visit flowers
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Poisonous: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 7 - Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California (1993) Hickman, J.C. (ed.)Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Calystegia macrostegia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Calystegia macrostegia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calystegia macrostegia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-04Research By: GDG