snail plant verses corkscrew vine

This is the first web site I have found to clear up th e diffence between a snail plant and a corkscrew vine. I purchased a vine which I thought was the corkscrew vine it's now comming into bloom it's beautiful but I was looking for the colors in a corkscrew vine and the strong fragrance people often talk about. I'm getting ready to order the corkscrew vine but I was wondering when would be the best time to plant in Northeren Florida were we rarely drop below 30 degrees

klauer - sorry you received the ever invasive snail vine instead of the fragrant, multi-colored corkscrew vine (which I considered purchasing myself). Not familiar to your climate, I suggest posting in the Vines forum here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/climbers/all/. There's always someone chiming in!

Happy Gardening!

Are you sure that is correct I think they are the same thing....what is the botanical name of the corkscrew vine? .....love to know as it may be a "different" name to our name....I have noticed that some American common names are different to ours.

They are DISTINCTLY different.

I'm unable to find photos of the Cork Screw Vine as it may be out of season since it's a tropical. But it is multy colored and fragrant. The Snail Vine is purple with no fragrance.

I won't give up. I'll find you photos. They are VERY different.

Corkscrew vine: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1884/
Snail vine: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53274/
Unfortunately, the names (common and Latin) are often used interchangeably, so a lot of times you may see a vendor selling something as Corkscrew vine but it turns out not to be. The only way to reliably know what you're getting is to trade for seeds/cuttings with someone who can show you a pic of their plant in bloom, or buy from a seller who other people can vouch for has the correct plant.

ecrane...you fast one you! I found it elswhere but.... :-)

ok so I am an ozzy.... and the corkscew vine maybe our snail creeper because what we call snail creeper is very fragrant and comes in creams and pinky/ purples.....it is botanically called Vigna caracalla
in my botanical book it gives the common names of ....snail creeper,corkscrew flower,snail bean,snail flower.It starts off one colour and changes over a few days. You know like the rangoon creeper changes.

Exscuse me, may I ask what is the Latin name of the snail plant ?

This message was edited Jan 22, 2008 9:07 AM

I just aquired the Phaseolus Caracalla (Snail) vine from Lowes. I have the Vigna Caracalla (Corkscrew) vine I got as a seedling last fall from my Son in San Antonio. They are quite different blooms but the foliage looks almost the same. I live in Abilene, zone 7, it's a lot like Dallas but not as much humidity. I dislike invasive plants but will give them a try. I like unusual plants, usually the hard to find ones. I like the challenge of growing unique plants. Got a Piper Auritum (Root Beer) plant in S. Antonio last month, I think it can be invasive also but will give it a try. I just love gardening.