Comesperma volubile
love creeper
Overview
Comesperma volubile is a slender twining climber in the family Polygalaceae, sending wiry green stems 3-10 feet (1-3 m) through surrounding shrubs. Leaves are sparse, narrow, and often shed early, so the green stems carry out much of the photosynthesis and the plant can appear nearly leafless. From late winter into spring it produces loose sprays of small blue to purple flowers, each about 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) long, with the winged shape typical of the milkwort family. The flowers are followed by flattened, wedge-shaped seed capsules. It grows naturally in open forest, heath, and woodland across south-eastern Australia, from Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania, twining through low and medium shrubs for support. In gardens it needs a host plant or light trellis, as the thin stems cannot stand alone. Flowering is heaviest in full sun, and plants in deep shade produce few blooms. Growth is light and never bulky, so it rarely smothers its support. The root system is sensitive to disturbance, and established plants transplant poorly. It tolerates dry periods once established but is damaged by hard frost in exposed positions.
Native Range
Comesperma volubile is native to south-eastern Australia, occurring from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to South Australia. It grows in open eucalypt forest, woodland, and heath, usually twining through understorey shrubs.Suggested Uses
Grown through open native shrubs, on light trellis, and over rockery boulders in native and water-wise gardens. The twining stems add height without heavy cover. It suits informal bush-garden plantings rather than formal trained displays.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 10'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
Blue to purple flowers open from late winter into spring, roughly August to November in the native range. Flowering lasts several weeks and is heaviest on stems in full sun. Plants in shade flower sparsely or not at all.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to purpleFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight