Texas Virgin's Bower

Description:

A climbing vine that covers fences, trees and shrubs. The vine produces no tendrils, but the leaves' wiry petioles serve as tendrils, 'hooking' themselves on fences or other plants. Leaves: opposite, compound, 5–7 leaflets 1/2–1 inch long, coarsely cut, sometimes toothed. Flower: C. drummondii are unisexual vines. Male and female flowers occur on different plants. Flower has 4 petal-like sepals, light greenish-yellow, almost white, narrow and thin, with margins slightly crinkled, 1/2–1 inch long. There are no petals. Stamens are conspicuous. Seed heads: When seeds mature, the female vine is covered with numerous large masses of silky, feathery plumes, 2–4 inches long, which grow out from the seed cover. As the filamentous seed head elongate, they also feather out, which gives the mass its soft fuzzy look and appeal.

Habitat:

Alongside roads and tangling on fences, in arroyos and in rocky canyons. Sun and part-shade. Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based soils. Hardy and drought tolerant.

Notes:

C. drummondii is a larval host and/or nectar source for the moth Fatal Metalmark (Calephelis nemesis). Provides wildlife cover for seeds-granivorous birds, and nesting sites. Medicinal Use: Teas useful for headaches and migraine.