Purple wreath

Purple wreath (Petrea volubilis) is a climbing plant native to Central and South America that can grow up to 12 metres tall.

The plant is best known for its long clusters of blue-violet flowers. The striking blue-violet structures, which appear to be petals, are actually sepals. The true petals are smaller and form the darker violet flowers in the centre.

The sepals remain attached long after the flowers have faded, giving the plant its colourful appearance. As the fruits mature, the sepals act like small propellers, causing the fruits to descend slowly to the ground and helping to disperse the seeds over greater distances.

The leaves of the plant are covered with tiny hairs and feel rough, like sandpaper. This characteristic has given rise to another of its English names, Sandpaper Vine.