Native & adapted

Yellow orchid vine

Callaeum macropterum

Native Baja and Sonoran-region vine with bright yellow flowers; give it a trellis and reflected warmth.

Sonoran nativePollinatorLow waterWarm climate

Landscape layersClimbing

Mature size8–12 ft tall on support × 10–15 ft of spread

Climate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b

Special categoriesSONORAN DESERT NATIVE · POLLINATOR ATTRACTING

Hardiness guidanceUSDA zones 9b–11; may lose foliage or die back after frost

Right plant, right place

Will Yellow orchid vine grow at your Arizona property?

Provide a trellis or fence and guide young stems. The plant is vigorous but is not usually an invasive runner in low-desert landscapes.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.

Light

Full sun to light shade; flowering is strongest with abundant sun.

Water

Low once established. Deep irrigation every 10–14 days during summer keeps growth and flowering active.

Choose the actual plant, not only the label

Named cultivars are uncommon. Confirm the botanical name Callaeum macropterum; several unrelated yellow-flowering vines share similar common names.

Callaeum macropterum

Mature size8–12 ft tall × 10–15 ft spread

Best forNative-region trellises, fences, and pollinator cover

Select a healthy, well-branched nursery plant and provide support early; provenance is more meaningful than a cultivar name.

Planting & stewardship

1
Confirm the plant’s mature spread and underground conflicts before digging.
2
Place the root flare at finished grade and keep mulch away from the trunk.
3
Establish a wide, deep root zone instead of irrigating only at the trunk.
4
Observe seasonal growth, heat stress, and wildlife use before making major pruning changes.