About Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew
Cochliasanthus caracalla produces multicolored, fragrant flowers that are described as having a corkscrew or nautilus-shell shape, and this shape is the origin of the species’ common name. This species is often confused with another closely related plant, Sigmoidotropis speciosa. S. speciosa has purple, non-fragrant flowers with a snail-shell shape, which gives that species its own common name. While some sources note that the leaves of the two species differ in shade and size, it is difficult to tell these two plants apart from their foliage alone. There are multiple recorded cases where the two plants were grown side by side for years, and the fact that they were separate species was only identified once the less mature plant finally flowered. In its native range in Argentina, Cochliasanthus caracalla is pollinated by bumblebees and carpenter bees. For cultivation, this vining plant is hardy in USDA zones 9 and warmer. It grows best in full sun, consistently damp soil, and conditions with high heat and humidity. In colder zones, it can be grown successfully in a pot and overwintered indoors.
