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Native Plant Society of Texas

Snapdragon Vine

Maurandella antirrhiniflora

Other common name(s):

Roving Sailor, Climbing Snapdragon, Little Snapdragon Vine

Family:

Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Limestone, Loam, Saline, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Sand Dunes & Beaches, Shrubland, Woodland Edge

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Flowers, Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Very little maintenance needed. Amazingly tough little plant given it’s delicate leaves and flowers. It can withstand dry, sunny conditions, but will do best with some shade in the afternoon. Water deeply, but let it dry out in between. Root rot cand powdery mildew can occur when the soil remains wet. Grows in a wide variety of well drained soils. Showy, but small flowers. This is a good vine for a small trellis, patio container or a hanging basket. It can also be grown as a flowering ground cover. Fairly cold tolerant in central Texas. In its northern range it will die back to the ground in winter, but reappears again in spring. In its southern range it may be semi-evergreen. Native habitat: climbing on shrubs and hanging from bluffs in rocky, dunes, hillsides, woodlands’ edge and openings, stony slopes

Description

Blooms February-December, depending on growing conditions. A twining, delicate vine with triangular, lobed leaves. Small purple to violet flowers resemble miniature snapdragon blossoms. The fruit is a small, round, capsule that splits open to release many tiny seeds. Larval host: Buckeye Butterfly.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Antirrhinum maurandioides, Asarina antirrhiniflora, Maurandya antirrhiniflora

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow them indoors in a seed tray filled with a well-draining seed starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide them with bright, indirect light. Once seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, they can be gently transplanted into individual pots. Harvest seeds from mature seed pods after the flowers fade. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-maurandella-antirrhiniflora/?print=pdf
Stem Cutting The best time to propagate Maurandella antirrhiniflora is in the early spring or late summer, when the plant is actively growing. Remove the leaves from the bottom inch or two and dip the cut end in rooting hormone for an extra boost. Plant the cuttings in a good quality potting mix, keeping the soil consistently moist. Cover the pot with a plastic dome or humidity dome to help retain moisture and encourage root development. With consistent care, you’ll see new roots emerge within a few weeks. Provide your cuttings with bright, indirect light. Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but avoid overwatering. The soil should be consistently moist, but not soggy. Snip a healthy stem section from your existing Maurandella antirrhiniflora plant. Choose non-flowering stems, ideally about 4-6 inches long. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-maurandella-antirrhiniflora/?print=pdf

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason