Showing posts with label Jacquemontia tamnifolia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jacquemontia tamnifolia. Show all posts

Saturday, October 6, 2012

The Crimes of Hairy Clustervine

I've lived along the Texas Gulf Coast for over 50 years and I know most of the plants here. So when I find something new, it always grabs my attention.  This week at school I was greeted by a newcomer; little Hairy Clustervine.
My new little friend Hairy is on the left while the familiar Blue Daze (Convolvulus) is on the right.

After work, I googled my new friend and found out this native flower (that's right, native) is not well-liked. 
Was cute little Hairy a criminal?
I read things like "Prowl & Treflan provide no control, while Pursuit & Valor kill 90% of the plants."
Or
"Cobra and Ultra Blazor can be used to control Hairy Clustervine, but 2,4D is totally ineffective. Treflan provides no control and Evoke is useless."
Wow, a lot of people want to wipe out this tiny little native. But who are these people?
That's right ladies and gentlemen, it's a TURF WAR!
And that's how I found him. He was in the new turf planted at my school.
Hairy clustervine is one of our many native morning glories (actually a close cousin) from the southeastern United States. He's a bad boy because he picks the wrong places to grow.
It's botanical name is Jacquemontia tamnifolia. The specific name means 'leaves similar to the yam family'. 
It grows into a small vine like many members of the morning glory clan. The leaves are dark green and very pretty just by themselves. It has hundreds of little blooms in a cluster and would grow well on a trellis. 
Please keep it away from your private putting green. :0)
Our kitten really wanted to help me with the photography. 'Bear' loves to garden with me.
Hey, maybe Hairy clustervine smells like catnip.
At any rate, I'm going to plant this little native in my garden and see what all the fuss is about.
And if I find giant Jack-in-the-Beanstalk vines twining through my window tonight, I'll be the first to tell you.
Thanks for stopping by!
David/:0)












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