This is a perfect example where knowing the Latin name of plants helps prevent errors (hopefully). HOWEVER! There is a great deal of confusion about this plant. It is my understanding that the Vigna caracalla and Phaseolus caracalla are synonyms for the same plant (snail vine or shell vine, corkscrew vine, take your pick).

Do a google image search using both of the Latin names and see what comes up. ;-)

If I'm wrong about this, we'll find out shortly.

If your looking for the corkscrew vine make sure you ask and double ask I too ordered the shell plant with the pic of the corkscrew vine and got the snail vine, it's very impossible to know what your getting tropical 9 nursureys said they carry both I tripled asked them to make sure it is the corkscrew vine I'm just waitting for it to come into stock also daves garden can clear up the difference between the two confusing sister plants. I'm getting my first seed pod and if someone wants to trade the snail vine(only lavendar colored flowers and no scent for the corkscrew vine. Very intersted kllauer76@hotmail.com