Five-Fingered Morning Glory
(Distimake quinquefolius)
Five-Fingered Morning Glory (Distimake quinquefolius)
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Daniel Cahen
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Daniel Cahen
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Daniel Cahen | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Daniel Cahen | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-02-11T17:12:27-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Distimake quinquefolius, commonly known as Five-Fingered Morning Glory, is an evergreen perennial vine native to a variety of habitats in the Neotropics, such as tropical rainforests, forest edges, and along streams in Central America, parts of South America, and the Caribbean. It can climb to heights of 3-9 feet (0.9-2.7 meters) with a relatively narrow spread of about 0.5 feet (0.2 meters). This vine is characterized by its twining stems and palmate leaves that resemble an open hand with five fingers. The white flowers, which appear in the spring and summer, are modest in size but can be quite showy when the plant is in full bloom.
The Five-Fingered Morning Glory is valued for its rapid growth and lush foliage, making it an excellent choice for covering trellises, arbors, and fences. It can also be used as a ground cover in tropical-themed gardens. While it thrives in full sun to part shade, it prefers a well-drained soil and regular watering, though it is somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Gardeners should be aware that in some areas, it can become invasive due to its vigorous growth habit. To prevent unwanted spread, it is important to manage its growth and remove seedlings as they appear.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Five-Fingered Morning Glory is valued for its rapid growth and lush foliage, making it an excellent choice for covering trellises, arbors, and fences. It can also be used as a ground cover in tropical-themed gardens. While it thrives in full sun to part shade, it prefers a well-drained soil and regular watering, though it is somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Gardeners should be aware that in some areas, it can become invasive due to its vigorous growth habit. To prevent unwanted spread, it is important to manage its growth and remove seedlings as they appear.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Vine
- Height: 3-9 feet
- Width: 0.167-0.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Native to tropical rainforests, forest edges, and along streams in the Neotropics
Other Names
Common Names: Rock Rosemary, Batatilla Blanca
Scientific Names: , Distimake quinquefolius, Merremia quinquefolia, Ipomoea quinquefolia, Convolvulus quinquefolius, Merremia potentilloides, Batatas quinquefolia, Ipomoea potentilloides, Batatas quinquefolia var. breviflora, Convolvulus ampelopsifolius
GBIF Accepted Name: Distimake quinquefolius (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples