Scientific Family
Convolvulaceae
Other common names
scarlet creeper
scarlet morning-glory
(Spanish: trompillo)
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual or perennial
Height
2 to 5 feet
Riparian
Yes
Annual twining vine; stems erect, trailing or twining.
Annual vining plant; leaves ovate, entire or 3-5-parted or palmately lobed; red tubular flowers on long peduncles.
Habitat
Pinyon juniper woodland, montane conifer forest, riparian, chaparral.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Riparian
Low elevation
2400
High elevation
9100
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are orange to red arranged in groups of 3 to 7, opening successively from the center outward.
Flower color
Red, orange red
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves ovate, entire or 3 to 5-parted or palmately lobed, 1-3/4 inches long, 1/3 to 2-3/4 inches wide.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Palmate
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Black to dark brown.
Capsule is spherical-shaped.