Chain-of-love (Antigonon leptopus, Bot. Beechey Voy. 308, t. 69. 1838)

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: Hook. & Arn.

Bibliography: Bot. Beechey Voy. 308, t. 69. 1838

Year: 1843

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Antigonon

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to C. America

Description

Chain-of-love, scientifically known as Antigonon leptopus, is a sprawling, perennial vine that belongs to the Polygonaceae family. It was first systematically classified in the Botany Beechey Voyage (1838) by the esteemed botanists Hooker and Arnott.

Native to regions spanning from Mexico to Central America, Chain-of-love thrives in tropical and subtropical climates where it can fully display its vigorous growth and charming aesthetic. Embodying its common name, the vine is renowned for its striking clusters of pink to white, heart-shaped flowers that bloom in profusion, creating a cascade of vibrant color reminiscent of a loving chain.

This resilient plant can climb extensively on various structures, supported by its tendrils that cling to trellises, fences, and walls. It’s particularly appreciated in ornamental horticulture for its rapid growth and ability to quickly cover large areas, providing an effective and picturesque solution for beautifying landscapes and gardens.

Chain-of-love’s lush green foliage contrasts beautifully with its blossoms, making it a favorite among gardeners and landscape designers who seek to create a romantic or cottage garden atmosphere. Additionally, its flowers are not just a visual delight but also attract bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of the areas where it is planted.

Despite its ornamental value, it is essential to manage its growth to prevent it from becoming invasive in some regions, as its vigorous nature can lead it to dominate local flora if left unchecked.

In culture and history, this plant holds sentimental value in many communities, symbolizing affection and enduring beauty, much like the continuous chain suggested by its common name.

Common Names

Eng: confederate-vine, coral vine, mexican coral vine, mexican creeper, mexican-creeper, chain-of-love, confederate vine, coralvine, mountain-rose coralvine, queen’s jewels, queen’s wreath, coralita, coralito, corallita
Spa: coralina, flor de san diego, bellísima
Deu: korallenwein
Por: amor-agarradinho
Swe: rosensky
En: Chain-of-love, Coralvine, Mountain-rose coralvine, Queen’s jewels, Confederate-vine, Mexican-creeper, Bee bush, Coral vine, Mexican creeper, San Miguelito vine, Corallita, San Miguel Vine, Mexican coral vine, Confederate vine, Queen’s wreath, Bride’s Tears, Cemetary vine, Miss Rebecca, Coralita, Coralito
Af: Koraalranker
Bn: অনন্ত লতা
Nl: Engletåre
Fi: Koralliköynnös
Fr: Liane corail, Liane antigone
De: Korallenwein
Ht: Bèl meksikèn
He: אנטיגון דק-עוקצים
Hu: Korall-lián
Kn: ಆಂಟಿಗೊನಾನ್
Ml: തേൻപൂവള്ളി
Pt: Amor-agarradinho
Es: Bellísima, Cadena de amor, Coralina, Flor de San Diego
Sv: Rosensky
Th: พวงชมพู
To: Sēiniʻoeʻofa
Vi: Ti gôn

Synonyms

• Polygonum cirrhosum (Moc. & Sessé ex Meisn.)
• Antigonon cordatum (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Antigonon amabile (W.Bull)
• Antigonon platypus (Hook. & Arn.)
• Corculum leptopus var. album (Stuntz)
• Corculum leptopus (Stuntz)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Aruba (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Feb 24, 2020 by Henriques Ana Rosa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2022 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2020 by casie france (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by Jay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2020 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Perdina Hadyan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2019 by alexis joly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2019 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Mohammed al mogais (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − _ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 27, 2020 by Morais Mabilda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Marinho Aloísio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Dan Hardie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Hervé Rey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Anna Ribera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by François FULPIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2019 by gomes joao paulo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2019 by da Luz Schmidt Fernando (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2889355)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:15860-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn.)

Specifications

Growth