Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine, "Rukoso")

Japanese name: ルコウソウ （縷紅草）
Scientific name: Ipomoea quamoclit

[Overview]
A climbing annual found in fields, along roadsides and on vacant lots.
In its native range it is a perennial, but it is not cold-hardy, so in Japan it is an annual.
The vine grows to about 3 m, twines to the left, branches well, and is hairless.
The leaves are alternate, oblong, deeply pinnately divided, with thread-like lobes.
Inflorescences from the leaf axils bear 1–2 flowers.
The flowers are deep crimson or white, 3 cm across, and star-shaped.
The fruit is a capsule.

[History]
It was introduced to Japan as an ornamental in the Edo period.

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