Calystegia macrostegia
Island false bindweed
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Calystegia macrostegia (Island false bindweed) is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Island false bindweed is a California native perennial found in coastal regions in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers that fade from bright white to soft pink, with large trumpet-shaped blooms 2.5 to 7 centimeters long. Growing with slender, weakly climbing stems reaching 1 to 9 meters in length, it develops a woody base that allows it to trail or scramble through surrounding vegetation. Its leaves are widely triangular, often deeply lobed, and typically less than 13 centimeters long, with a distinctive shape that helps distinguish it from other climbing plants. The plant's delicate white flowers are subtended by broad, lanceolate bracts that partially hide the flower's base, creating an intricate botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Monterey, Orange, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Placer
How to tell it apart
vs Convolvulus: Convolvulus has smaller flowers with sharply pointed stigma lobes; Calystegia stigma lobes are blunt.; vs Ipomoea: Ipomoea stigma is a single rounded knob; Calystegia stigma has two distinct flattened lobes.; vs Datura: Datura flowers are upright with pleated edges; Calystegia flowers are smooth funnels.; vs Abronia: Abronia has clusters of small tubular flowers; Calystegia has single large funnel flowers.; vs Oenothera: Oenothera has four separate petals; Calystegia petals are fused into continuous funnel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calystegia macrostegia native to California?
Yes. Calystegia macrostegia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Calystegia macrostegia grow?
Calystegia macrostegia occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Monterey, Orange, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Calystegia macrostegia belong to?
Calystegia macrostegia is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Calystegia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.