Cochliasanthus caracalla is a leguminous vine from the family Fabaceae, originating in tropical South America and Central America. The species is named caracalla, a corruption of the Portuguese caracol, meaning snail.
The true Corkscrew Vine (or Shell Vine), Cochliasanthus Vigna caracalla, is difficult to find but worth the effort. This vigorous and well-mannered garden plant produces very cool spiral flowers with an incredible scent that's reminiscent of Chinese wisteria and noticeable from 15 feet away. The intricate, curly flowers are produced for several months during the summer. Originally from South America and grown by Thomas Jefferson at Montecello, these are memorable plants. If you've seen one in a private or public garden, locked on the amazing scent and fanciful flowers, and always wanted one of your own, now you can make that happen.
There
are two similar looking plants called Vigna caracalla. Both produce
pretty, spiral-form flowers in soft pastel shades. And the foliage of both is
heart shaped, looking much like that of pole beans which makes sense because
these are legumes and are therefore related to beans. In fact, both plants will
produce slender, bean-like pods under good growing conditions.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Purple Snail Vine, Phaseolus giganteus, is a little more aggressive, sometimes invasive plant that tends to root where the branches touch the ground and can be difficult to eradicate.
The flowers of the Snail Vine lack the fragrance that represents a key reason gardeners choose to grow these plants. Snail vines are often erroneously sold and labeled as Vigna caracalla.
- True Snail/Corkscrew Vine Cochliasanthus Vignacaracalla - Seeds found here
- Purple Snail Vine Phaseolus Giganteus adenanthus - Seeds found here
.