a woody, Mexican vine, Cobaea scandens, of the phlox family, having bell-shaped, violet-colored or greenish-purple flowers with an inflated, leaflike calyx and long, curved stamens.
cup-and-sau·cer plant (kŭp'ən-sô'sər) n. A tendril-bearing Mexican vine (Cobaea scandens) cultivated for its showy flowers. Also called Mexican ivy vine.