Jim, The normal growth pattern of B. volubilis is vining with the growth getting thinner as it divaricates. B. v. gariepensis has the same growth pattern but maintains nearly the same thickness from the main vine to the end of the new growth. It appears inflated and is visiaully distinct from volubilis. If I get a chance, I'll photograph the two side by side. Carlo A. Balistrieri The Gardens at Turtle Point Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 Zone 6 (845.351.2849) Visit: http://www.botanicalgardening.com/ and its BGBlog