Bushy Pink Wildflowers

Being a native of Mexico, and probably introduced here during the Spanish period more than four centuries ago, this vine is called "Cadena-de-amor" here in the Philippines. It is a Spanish term that means chain of love, maybe because the flowers are in elongated spikes and the leaves are heart shaped. Other common names in literature are Mexican creeper, coral vine, corallita, confederate vine.  Botanically, it is called Antigonon leptopus. We have the pink and white varieties. 


In the past it could have been domestically cultivated in gardens, but eventually escaped to the wild and now luxuriantly growing there, invading vacant areas and climbing other trees. In Florida it is already considered type II invasive. Here, a previous high government official fell in love with its pink beauty and ordered all center islands of major city streets be planted with it. He envisioned it fully climbing the provided center structures or the side fences. However, being normally growing in the wild with clean air and water, it did not grow beautifully when directly bombarded with car exhausts and fumes. He did not think of it being shocked with the polluted air around, not yet evolved to the environment it was suddenly brought in. Eventually, all the iron trellises were removed and the hope of making the whole metropolis a "pink city" was laid to rest. 

cadena-de-amor growing nicely with other side street weeds in the countryside

it blooms nicely even in flat surfaces, but more beautifully when high among the trees

the heart-shaped leaves are also beautifully textured

the bees also love them

a white variety from Wikipedia