Fauna
Flower

Rangoon Creeper

Combretum indicum

Also known as Burma Creeper, Chinese Honeysuckle, Drunken Sailor

Rangoon creeper produces fragrant, tubular blossom clusters that famously transition in color from white on opening to pink and finally deep crimson over a three-day cycle. Native to tropical Asian forests and riverbanks, this aggressive woody vine uses hook-like spines formed from persistent leaf stalks to scale surrounding canopy vegetation. Its intense nocturnal scent strongly attracts hawkmoths, which serve as its primary pollinators during the night.

VineFragrantFlowering
Rangoon Creeper reference1 / 7
(c) Francisco Farriols Sarabia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Francisco Farriols Sarabia · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Caterpillars
  • Aphids
  • Spider mites
ThreatsHabitat clearing, invasive potential in non-native habitats
HabitatsTropical forests, riverbanks, thickets, gardens
Life spanPerennial (20+ years)
Classification
  1. OrderMyrtales
  2. FamilyCombretaceae
  3. GenusCombretum
  4. SpeciesCombretum indicum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Seeds contain toxins causing nausea and abdominal distress if ingested; keep away from pets and children.
Why it is dangerous
Seeds contain quisqualic acid, which causes severe gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and dizziness if swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by woody climbing stems, hairy leaves, and dangling clusters of tubular blossoms transitioning from white to crimson.
What to do
Avoid consuming any plant parts or seeds, and wash hands thoroughly after pruning or training vines.
Responsible observation
  • Observe color shift: Watch individual flower clusters over three days to see blossoms shift from white to dark red.
  • Enjoy night scent: Visit flowering vines around dusk when blossoms release their sweet, moth-attracting fragrance.
Related species
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