Ipomea lobata - Spanish flag vine

Ipomea lobata - Spanish flag vine by Barbara McLean

Ipomoea lobata, also known as the firecracker vine or Spanish flag, is a striking climber native to Central and South America. The Ipomoea genus, has long been associated with both practical and spiritual traditions. In some Indigenous cultures of the Americas, related species were revered for their medicinal and ritualistic uses. Certain Ipomoea plants were used in herbal remedies for their purgative properties, while others played a role in sacred ceremonies due to their psychoactive com-pounds. In folklore, climbing plants like the firecracker vine have often symbolised aspiration and per-severance, reaching ever upward toward the sun. Chelsea Physic Garden has been a centre of medicinal plant knowledge for over 350 years. Established in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, it is one of the oldest botanic gardens in Britain. Its living collection includes species from across the globe, many with histories deeply rooted in medicinal and cultural practice. Today, the Garden continues to inspire learning, offering a space for people to connect with nature and explore the essential role plants play in our health, culture, and survival.