SafePlants

Brandegea bigelovii: Desert Star-Vine

Brandegea bigelovii, commonly known as Desert Star-Vine, is a fascinating plant found in arid environments. This text provides details about its characteristics, habitat, and ecological role.

Considerations for Pets

• As a vine, it may climb on various objects, potentially becoming entangled or ingested by pets.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is a vine. Children might be tempted to play with it.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Brandegea bigelovii
• Common Name: Desert Star-Vine
• Brandegea is a monotypic genus, meaning it contains only one species: Brandegea bigelovii.
• Family: Cucurbitaceae (Squash Family)

Distribution and Habitat

• The Desert Star-Vine is found in desert regions, particularly in the Sonoran Desert.
• Specific locations mentioned include La Paz County, California (Riverside County, Deep Canyon - Coyote Canyon), and the Sonoran Desert National Monument.

Ecological Role

• It is noted to grow indiscriminately on many shrubs and trees in washes, potentially indicating an invasive growth habit.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a sprawling perennial, non-woody vine.
• The stem lacks hairs (glabrous) on the unbranched tendrils.
• The flower corolla is small (1.5-3 mm wide), shallowly cup-shaped, cream-colored and fragrant. The flowers are white, showy and star-shaped, radially symmetrical.

Quirky Facts

• The provided text includes references to a "Stu Stouthearted's Vine Movie", suggesting the plant might have been used creatively in a non-botanical context.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The vine drapes over shrubs.

Further Information

• Steven Foster offers stocks for commercial and editorial licensing.
• Dave's Garden is mentioned as a friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.