Senecio (Pseudogynoxus)
confusus Britten
Pseudogynoxys chenopodiodes
Mexican flame vine
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Size of plant for sale: 8-16" tall, blooming or ready to bloom
Family: Compositae/Asteraceae (daisy/aster family)
Origin: Mexico.
A great plant for beginners! Very fast
growing, it is drought resistant, seldom bothered by pests and minimum
care is rewarded with impressive floral displays! This plant is attractive
to bees, butterflies and birds.
It is a fairly rampant, warm climate climber with thick evergreen leaves
that are shaped like arrowheads and serrated on the edges - a succulent
type leaf similar to German Ivy. They are arranged alternately on the
vine and their deep green color provides a rich background for the brilliant
flowers. It covers itself in brilliant bright orange daisy-like flowers
about 1 inch in diameter, borne in small clusters. As they age, the
flowers change from orange to almost red to be followed by fruiting
structures that resemble smaller versions of the dandelion puffy seed
heads. The scientific name of this plant Senecio confusus translates
to "confused old man" referring to this vine's rampant habit
of growth. If not provided a support, Mexican flame vine supports itself,
growing this way and that in a confusion of stems to form a sprawling
shrub.
Use Mexican flame vine to drape over porch rails and mailboxes. It's
expert at improving the visual charm of chain link fences. Use in mixed
hedges to create splashes of summertime color. It also looks great clambering
up palm or pine tree trunks. Can be used as ground cover.
Cultivation: Prefers sun or light shade. Water until established, then it becomes drought tolerant. Not particular about soil. This tropical vine is killed to the ground by frost, but even in Zone 8 gardens it will quickly recover.
Propagation: Propagate by seeds, cuttings or layers (sections of vine that naturally form roots where it touches the ground). The seeds need to be kept at the surface of the soil, for they require light to germinate.
