Common name: Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine, Orange-Flowered Groundsel

Botanical name: Senecio confusus - [ (sen-NEESH-shee-oh) latin form of old man refers to hairy parts of flowers; (kon-FEW-sus) uncertain ] Synonyms: Pseudogynoxus confusus, Pseudogynoxus chenopodiodes Family: Asteraceae or alternatively Compositeae (aster, daisy, or sunflower family) - [ (ass-ter-AY-see-ay) the aster (daisy) family; formerly Compositae ]

Origin: Mexico

Mexican flame vine is a woody tropical vine with the enchanting summertime habit of covering itself in brilliant daisy-like flowers. The bright orange blossoms are about 1 inch in diameter and are borne in small clusters. As they age the flowers change from orange to almost red. They are followed by fruiting structures that resemble smaller versions of the dandelion's puffy seed heads.

This vine has thick evergreen leaves that are shaped like arrowheads and serrated on the edges. They are arranged alternately on the vine and are deep green in color providing a handsome background for the firey orange flowers. The scientific name of this plant Senecio confusus translates to "confused old man" referring, probably, to this vine's rampant habit of growth. If not provided support, Mexican flame vine grows this way and that in a confusion of stems that piles up to eventually form a sprawling shrub.

Courtesy: - Flowers of India - TopTropicals - Dave's Garden