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Family: Leguminasae

Common Names: Rosary Pea, Crab’s-Eye Vine, Weather Plant

Slender, more or less woody perennial stem twiner, grown as an annual in intemperate climates; can top ten feet. Pealike foliage has smooth, slender leaflets; winged flowers, red to purple; small, egg-shaped brilliant red seeds have black dot covering one end. In my childhood we wore necklaces strung from these bead-seeds.

Try this for something unusual to twine up and around a sunny window, or to tumble over a fence or other garden structure. Use it as background or accent in container gardening.

The vine needs full sun, and the longest possible growing season to mature seeds. Keep soil moist, and mist foliage regularly in hot and dry seasons. In the North, start seeds early indoors. Speed up germination by notching or soaking seeds before planting. Or propagate by cuttings of firm young shoots.