Blue Jacquemontia

Jacquemontia pentanthos (Jacq.) G. Don

jac-eh-MONT-ee-ah pen-TAN-thoz

Convolvulaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name for Victor Jacquemont (1801-1832). Pentanthos means five stamens.

Natural range: Native to South Florida. Rare and listed by the State of Florida as endangered (WU2)

Recognition: A robust climbing vine with wirelike stems and often cordate leaves, forming a tangle on fences. Flowers bowl-shaped, sky blue with white eye. (Reminiscent of Blue Daze.)  Several additional species of Jacquemontia are native to Florida.

Landscape uses: Infrequently cultivated and unsightly when out of flower. The compelling blue flowers make this species splendid when it is in flower.