Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla)

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Vine
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences:	Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Plant Height:	6 to 20 feet
Leaves:	Semi-evergreen Deciduous
Flowers:	Showy Fragrant
Flower Color:	Other: A single bloom has shades of white and pink to pale purple, and sometimes yellow
Bloom Size:	1"-2"
Flower Time:	Summer Late summer or early fall
Underground structures:	Taproot
Suitable Locations:	Houseplant Espalier
Uses:	Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Butterflies
Resistances:	Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds:	Scarify seeds: For best results use toenail clippers to clip the seed coat at least half way around the edge of the seed. Take TINY bites - you just want to break the seed coat Days to germinate: 2 - 6 days .. dependent on soil temperature and whether or not seed coat was broken Depth to plant seed: Sow shallow .. no more than 1/2 of soil on top of seed Start indoors Can handle transplanting
Propagation: Other methods:	Cuttings: Stem
Pollinators:	Other: Ants
Containers:	Needs excellent drainage in pots

Common names

Corkscrew Vine
Snail Vine

Botanical names

Accepted: Vigna caracalla
Synonym: Phaseolus caracalla
Synonym: Caracalla pulcherrima

Also sold as:

Cochliasanthus caracalla

Photo Gallery

Uploaded by dave

Uploaded by Fleur569

Uploaded by Mutisia

Uploaded by luvsgrtdanes

Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2024-01-30
Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla) seeds just germinated.

Uploaded by janelp_lee

Location: My garden, KY
Date: 2024-03-10

Uploaded by poisondartfrog

Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2015-04-06
These seedlings sprouted in 4 days and are a week old.

Uploaded by TexasPlumeria87

Location: Summeville, SC
Commonly identified as Corkscrew Vine

Uploaded by Xeramtheum

Location: all photos from my gardens
Date: 2019-09-24

Uploaded by pinkiris

Uploaded by admin

Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2024-01-27
Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla) seeds.

Uploaded by janelp_lee

Location: Summeville, SC
Dissection of of corkscrew structure revealing the reproductive p

Uploaded by Xeramtheum

Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2016-10-04

Uploaded by janinilulu

Location: Grantville, Georgia
Date: 2015-09-03

Uploaded by abhege

Location: San Diego, CA
Date: 2009-10-26

Uploaded by olga_batalov

Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2018-03-29

Uploaded by janinilulu

Location: Reynolda Gardens, Winston-Salem NC
Date: 2015-08-21
blooms seem to go from white & purple to gold as they age

Uploaded by critterologist

Uploaded by SkirtGardener

Location: Austin ,TX
Date: August
Fast growing vine to cover arbor or AC corral

Uploaded by Bubbles

Location: Summeville, SC
The prominent extra floral nectaries (EFN) which attracts ants.

Uploaded by Xeramtheum

Uploaded by cocoajuno

Uploaded by poisondartfrog

Uploaded by poisondartfrog

Location: Summeville, SC
Commonly identified as Snail Vine

Uploaded by Xeramtheum

Location: My back Yard
Date: May 26, 2013 11:00am

Uploaded by Rhapsody616

Location: San Diego, CA
Date: 2010-06-25
with its ant pollinators

Uploaded by olga_batalov

Uploaded by dave

Location: Reynolda Gardens, Winston-Salem NC
Date: 2015-08-21
This vine did a reat job of covering a 6 foot chain link fence!

Uploaded by critterologist

Location: central Illinois
Date: 2004-09-09

Uploaded by jmorth

Uploaded by QueenDreama

Uploaded by dave

Location: San Antonio, TX
Date: Aug 18, 2005 12:33 PM

Uploaded by dave

Comments:

Posted by critterologist (Frederick, MD - Zone 6b) on May 19, 2016 9:26 PM concerning plant:

Kew Gardens and the Powers that Be notwithstanding, I think Vigna caracalla and Phaseolus caracalla are two entirely different plants. Not only do the flowers differ in color and structure, but also -- and most importantly, to many gardeners -- Phaseolus caracalla has no scent. The fragrance of Vigna caracalla is thick & sweet, like oriental lilies or jasmine.

In my zone 6/7, I probably need to start them in January or keep them in a container... I've started seeds in Feb., and they were barely coming into bloom when the first frost hit in early October. Heat definitely speeds germination, as does scarifying & soaking.

Reply to this comment
Posted by Xeramtheum (Summerville, SC - Zone 8a) on Dec 4, 2012 12:09 PM concerning plant:

The "Powers that be," GRIN and Kew Gardens, decided that Vigna caracalla, aka Corkscrew Vine, and Vigna phaseolus caracalla were the same species - Vigna caracalla. The flowers and buds are totally different in form.

The Snail Vine is always lavender/purple.

The Corkscrew Vine is white and lavender/purple morphing into amber as the flower ages.

Reply to this comment
Posted by Xeramtheum (Summerville, SC - Zone 8a) on Dec 21, 2012 4:22 PM concerning plant:

A word about harvesting seeds from V. caracalla, both the Corkscrew and Snail Vines. Once the pod dries and is removed from the plant, split open the pod inside a plastic baggie because the second you split the pod it literally snaps open scattering some of the seeds.

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Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Sep 23, 2011 6:18 PM concerning plant:

The Corkscrew vine is a fast growing perennial vine, twining and climbing to heights of 15 to 20 feet. Preferring full sun, humidity and temperatures above 50ºF, the vine dies back in the winter. The beautiful and fragrant blooms are produced from summer to fall and have a snail like appearance, giving it another common name of "Snail Vine".

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Plant Events from our members
abhege	On February 19, 2015	Seeds germinated Seeds received from Piggy swap.
MunchkinsMom	On September 3, 2017	Bloomed
MunchkinsMom	On August 10, 2017	Miscellaneous Event Remaining plant is growing like crazy. 3rd plant never emerged.
MunchkinsMom	On June 7, 2017	Plant emerged 2nd plant emerged, but then died
MunchkinsMom	On May 30, 2017	Plant emerged Only one plant emerged.
MunchkinsMom	On June 28, 2016	Transplanted Planted 3 plants, north fence at Rock Bed
MunchkinsMom	On June 16, 2016	Miscellaneous Event Scheduled for delivery 6-22-2016, Hope they aren't french-fried when they arrive. Shipping was delayed by 5 days, we'll be having 100+ for days by 6-22-2016
MunchkinsMom	On June 10, 2016	Miscellaneous Event Ordered from Burpee - 3 plants for $11.86
piksihk	On January 10, 2019	Seeds sown in water;
piksihk	On July 11, 2016	Transplanted HW near back fence with blue butterfly vine
lovesblooms	On February 26, 2020	Seeds sown indoors, heat, lights
lovesblooms	On February 12, 2017	Seeds germinated
lovesblooms	On February 4, 2017	Seeds sown indoors; swelled seeds planted after overnight soak in boiled water

» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant

Thread Title	Last Reply	Replies
Love the colors and clarity and contrast by pirl	Aug 4, 2015 11:24 AM	3

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Vigna Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla)

Vigna
Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla)