Yellow Butterfly Vine or Yellow Orchid Vine

Yellow Butterfly Vine is a lush, heat hardy, vigorous and heavy blooming vine that does beautifully in north Texas.

Plant in full or part sun and watch it grow. Because of its twining nature, the vine will grow in and around itself creating a large mound. If it is trellised the vine can climb to 15 feet.

Clusters of yellow orchid like flowers cover the vine as summer heats up. Fluttering between the dainty flower clusters are winged seed pods reminiscent of paper butterflies. The showy butterfly pods turn from chartreuse to tan with age. The attractive pods are often collected and used in floral arrangements.

This native of Mexico is often perennial in north Texas when we have a mild winter and where there is winter protection. Late frosts may delay bloom time.

Mascagnia macroptera is named after Italian naturalist Paolo Mascagni. The species name macro means large and ptera means winged, describing the winged butterfly-like seed pods.

This plant is easy to grow and offers a big show with minimal care.