Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata
(c) Garth Harwood, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family.
Purpurata morning glory is a California native perennial vine found in coastal regions including the North Coast, Central West Coast, Sutter Buttes, northern South Coast, and western Transverse Ranges in chaparral and coastal scrub habitats at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers with distinctive large, trumpet-shaped blooms. Growing with strongly climbing stems over one meter long, it develops robust, sprawling vegetation that can cover considerable ground. Its leaves are triangular with a V-shaped base and acute tips, featuring strongly angled lobes that give the foliage a distinctive geometric appearance. The plant produces opposite bracts that are generally entire, contributing to its elegant climbing structure.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, coastal scrub
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Ventura, Monterey, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Napa, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Merced, San Benito, Marin, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Humboldt, Yolo, Los Angeles, Trinity, Lake
Bloom period
Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata blooms May-Jun.
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 purpurata subsp. purpurata native to California?
Yes. Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata bloom?
Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata grow?
Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata occurs in Ventura, Monterey, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata belong to?
Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Calystegia.
What habitat does Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata grow in?
Calystegia purpurata subsp. purpurata grows in Chaparral, coastal scrub.
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.