# Queen's Wreath (*Petrea volubilis*) Queen's Wreath is a beautiful flowering plant that grows lovely purple flowers. It climbs up trees and walls, making gardens look magical and colorful! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Tropical areas - **Also known as:** Petrea, Purple Wreath ![Queen's Wreath](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Petrea_volubilis_bush.JPG&width=800) Photo: Rolf Engstrand, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petrea_volubilis_bush.JPG) ## Appearance The Queen's Wreath is a woody vine adorned with spectacular hanging clusters of star-shaped purple 'flowers' that actually consist of five colorful sepals. Its rough, green leaves are oval-shaped, providing a sturdy backdrop for the vibrant blooms. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Verbenaceae - **Genus:** Petrea ## Interesting facts - Its 'flowers' are actually colorful leaf-like parts called bracts, not true petals! - Its stunning blooms can last for weeks, making it a favorite for tropical gardens! - Sometimes called 'Sandpaper Vine' because its leaves feel surprisingly rough to touch! - The plant's scientific name, Petrea, honors an English nobleman, Lord Petre! ## Special abilities - **Climbing Power:** Queen's Wreath can grow long, woody vines that help it climb high onto trees or trellises to reach sunlight. - **Long-Lasting Beauty:** Queen's Wreath has showy purple structures (bracts) that last long after its true flowers fade, extending its colorful display. - **Drought Defender:** Queen's Wreath can tolerate periods of dry weather once established, allowing it to survive in challenging conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 200-1200 cm - **Spread:** 200-500 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its flowers to collect nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Butterflies are attracted to the vibrant purple blooms for nectar. - **Shelter:** [American robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Dense vines provide good cover and nesting sites for birds. ## Traits - [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or picking flowers. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Queen's Wreath? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Queen's Wreath? 200-1200 cm ### How wide does Queen's Wreath spread? 200-500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Queen's Wreath? 1-2 cm ### When does Queen's Wreath bloom? Spring to Fall ### Is Queen's Wreath edible? No ### Is Queen's Wreath toxic? None ### What is Queen's Wreath's lifecycle? Perennial ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Queen's Wreath: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/queens-wreath)