Skyblue clustervine

Pictured above: Skyblue clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos). Photo by Alan Cressler, courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.

Also known as Key West morning-glory or Pineland clustervine, Skyblue clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos) occurs naturally in coastal hammocks and along wetlands in South Florida. It typically flowers in winter, but is known to bloom from early fall through late spring. It is state-listed as endangered in Florida.

Skyblue clustervine is an evergreen, twining vine that produces many small but showy flowers. Bloom colors range from sky blue to pinkish-lavender, all with white throats. Leaves are deeply veined and oval– to cordate-shaped.

Skyblue clustervine is a member of the Morning glory family, so flowers open in the morning. It attracts a variety of pollinators, including the Nessus sphinx (Amphion floridensis), Tantalus sphinx (Aellopus tantalus) and Tersa sphinx (Xylophanes tersa) moths, which pollinate the flowers at dawn.

Family: Convolvulaceae (Morning glory family)
Native range: Collier, Monroe (mainland and the Keys), Miami-Dade and Broward counties
To see where natural populations of Skyblue clustervine have been vouchered, visit florida.plantatlas.usf.edu.
Lifespan: Perennial
Soil: Moist but well-drained sand or lime rock
Exposure: Full sun to minimal shade
Growth habit: Trailing vine, 6–12’+ with support
Propagation: Seed, cuttings, air-layering
Florida regions of landscape suitability: South
Garden tips: Skyblue clustervine works well on a trellis or as a groundcover.

Skyblue clustervine is often available at nurseries that specialize in native plants. Visit PlantRealFlorida.org to find a native nursery on your area.

Learn more about Skyblue clustervine from the Florida Native Plant Society and the Institute for Regional Conservation.