Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn.

Queen's Jewels; Love Chain; Confederate Vine

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Queen's Jewels is an introduced semi-woody vine in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It is native to Mexico. In Alabama it is sometimes cultivated and has escaped in the southeastern corner of the state. Queen's Jewels is a perennial from tuberous roots. It is a fast growing semi-woody or herbaceous vine climbing by tendrils. The stems are green or reddish in color, angled, and sparsely to densely pubescent. The stems will root when covered by soil. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, ciliate along the margins, and cordate or triangular in outline. The petiole is often winged and the blade is pubescent, especially along the veins. Flowers are produced in raceme-like terminal and axillary inflorescences. Flowers are bisexual with 5 ovate pink or white tepals. The outer 3 tepals are broader than the inner two tepals. Each flower has 8 stamens with yellow anthers and 3 styles. The fruit is an achene surrounded by the enlarged papery tepals. Queen's Jewels is listed as a category II invasive exotic in Florida. It grows very quickly and can exclude native species. It is spread by moving soil containing the tubers and from seed which can be spread by water and various animals. The tubers are edible and similar to potatoes. The fruit can be toasted and eaten like popcorn.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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