Cypress Vine

Q: Can you ID this pretty little flowering plant? A neighbor gave the seeds to me but she could not remember what the plant is called. It is a ferny looking vine with a tiny red flower.

A: She gave you a nice gift: cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit). I have one (actually several tangled together) that climbs my street sign at the corner.

It is an annual vine, coming back from seed each year. Hummingbirds and butterflies love it because the red flowers contain a lot of nectar.

Collect seeds this fall and share them with others. Remind them that the vine can “plant itself” where it isn’t desired but it is easy to recognize the lacy foliage and to pull it out if it’s objectionable.