Ipomoea Christmas Vine

It must be that time of year again! I just saw my first Christmas Vine with its' stand out red flowers creeping over some native bush along the Venetian Road and near the villas at Harbour Club.

Every year as we head into December, I search the bush for these spectacular, showy red flowers. Sure enough there it was today…..the Ipomoea Microdactyla, also known as the Christmas Vine or Hog Potato Vine. Look around you as you are sure to sight it too.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Wild Potato Vine

Every year before Christmas, I watch for the Ipomoea vine growing in the bush.

Every year before Christmas, I watch for the Ipomoea vine growing in the bush.

Finally, after weeks of looking I spotted this showy, red flowering vine on my neighbour’s property. I’ve been watching out for the Ipomoea vine also known as the Christmas vine and or Wild Potato. I’m thinking this last week has been rainy and cool and all of a sudden, I’ve noticed bright splashes of red adorning the tree tops and in this case, on a Poisonwood tree. Perhaps the rains coaxed the blossoms to open.

A brilliant red flower and a mass of buds on this Ipomoea vine.

A brilliant red flower and a mass of buds on this Ipomoea vine.

Usually, the Ipomoea blooms for the holiday season starting in October but as I said, I saw my first one only the other day while travelling down Venetian Road.  I wandered over onto my neighbour’s property this afternoon to take pictures of  orchids and found this Wild Potato growing on a tall poison wood……a little difficult to photograph as I didn’t want to touch the poisonwood.

The Ipomoea grows throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and is one of the prettiest with brilliant red flowers.

The Ipomoea grows throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and is one of the prettiest with brilliant red flowers.

Watch for these flowering vines as you travel the roads of Provo…….it’s impossible to miss with those bright red flowers that stand out amongst the green foliage.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Turks and Caicos flowers

Christmas vine blooming on Provo

Christmas vine blooming on Provo

Happy New Year everyone!!

Finally while travelling down Venetian Road, I spotted a vivid flash of red……….Ipomoea is the official name of this wild vine that grows in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Other names for this beautiful wild flower is Wild Potato or Christmas vine because it generally blooms around Christmas and New Year.  This one was growing along the roadside but most often you see them climbing and clinging to trees. I can’t believe the colour as it is always such a bright scarlet red.

Cheers, and I hope we can stay awake to bring the New Year in!!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com