Mexican flame vine is a pretty flowering vine that is still not very widely grown in Singapore at present. Botanically, it is known as Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides currently. It is a member of the daisy family, Asteraceae and was previously referred to via a synonymous botanical name, Senecio confusus.
This tropical vine is valued for the generous bunches of vividly coloured flowers it produces. Daisy-like flowers are produced in a bunch where they first appear bright orange and gradually darken until they are red before they fade away. When fully opened, the ray florets of each flower are reflexed backwards, making each flower look like an umbrella that has been blown inside out on a windy day!
This vine is herbaceous to start with that gradually turns woody with time. Each leaf on the vine is shaped like an arrowhead with serrated edges and as a result, one can mistaken this beautiful vine to be the locally invasive vine, Mile-A-Minute Weed (Mikania micrantha). Dark green in colour, the leaves form a background where the vine’s fiery coloured flowers can be effectively shown off. In some occasions, the leaves are seen to take on a purplish tinge. The reason behind this observation is not clear at present. It maybe due to nutrient deficiency.
After the flowers fade, the plant goes on to produce seeds and expected of a member belonging to the daisy family, the Mexican flame vine’s seedheads that resemble those of a dandelion’s. Each seed has some ‘fluff’ attached on one end which help them to be dispersed by wind.
Such a mode of seed dispersal may ring an alarm in some of us, because it reminds us of how the noxious weed which we call lalang here (Imperata cylindrica) spreads. To date, even though the Mexican flame vine sets seeds in Singapore, it is not observed to spread to new areas via this dispersal method.
HortPark is a good place to visit to see how the Mexican flame vine can be used in a garden landscape. There, it can be found growing on the Carpark Garden’s trellises. In the same way, one can grow this vine up a trellis at home or allow it to climb on a fence or low swing and so on.
In terms of location, grow the Mexican flame vine in a sunny place so that production of flowers is ensured. It is reported to be not particular about soil conditions but it is best to grow it in a well-drained location with moisture-retentive and fertile soil. Do not over-fertilise with plant food that is rich in nitrogen! A plant that has been fed excessively with nitrogen will concentrate on the production of vegetative growth over flowers!
Water newly planted, young vines regularly until they become established. Established vines can take care of themselves as they can be quite drought-tolerant. Plants grow at a manageable pace and can be cut back to check its growth but do note that they flower on new growth. Hence excessive and overly frequent pruning will set back flowering substantially. The Mexican flame vine is most easily propagated by stem-cuttings. Stems that have rooted on the surfaces where they grow on can also be cut and planted separately.
